Fourth quarter revenue grew 40% year-over-year to $98.7 million
Achieved dollar-based net retention of 124% for the trailing 12 months
Introduced first quarter and full year fiscal 2024 guidance
Entered into an agreement to acquire North Star, Braze’s exclusive reseller in the Australia and New Zealand markets
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Braze (Nasdaq: BRZE) a leading comprehensive customer engagement platform that powers interactions between consumers and the brands they love, today announced results for its fiscal year ended January 31, 2023.
“In the past year, we continued to strengthen our position as a market leader by finding the opportunities in change, expanding our customer base by 29% and our revenue by nearly 50%,” said Bill Magnuson, cofounder and CEO of Braze. “Customer engagement is a universal business imperative, and Braze innovations such as Cloud Data Ingestion, native support for WhatsApp, and AI enhancements to our Predictive Suite enable our customers to evolve their strategies and expand to new use cases.”
Fiscal Fourth Quarter 2023 Financial Highlights
Fiscal Year 2023 Financial Highlights
Recent Business Highlights
Financial Outlook
Braze is initiating guidance for the fiscal first quarter ending April 30, 2023 and fiscal year ending January 31, 2024.
Metric
(in millions, except per share amounts)
FY 2024 Q1 Guidance
FY 2024 Guidance
Revenue
$98.5 – 99.5
$433.0 – 438.0
Non-GAAP operating loss
$(19.0) – (20.0)
$(57.0) – (61.0)
Non-GAAP net loss
$(17.0) – (18.0)
$(53.0) – (57.0)
Non-GAAP net loss per share
$(0.18) – (0.19)
$(0.55) – (0.59)
Weighted average shares outstanding
~96.2
~97.1
Braze is also providing guidance on its non-GAAP operating loss margin, which it believes will be negative 7% or better during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ending January 31, 2024.
Braze has not reconciled its guidance as to non-GAAP operating loss, non-GAAP net loss, non-GAAP net loss per share or non-GAAP operating loss margin to their most directly comparable GAAP measure as a result of uncertainty regarding, and the potential variability of, reconciling items such as stock-based compensation expense specific to equity compensation awards that are directly impacted by unpredictable fluctuations in Braze’s stock price. Accordingly, reconciliation is not available without unreasonable effort, although it is important to note that these factors could be material to Braze’s results calculated in accordance with GAAP.
Conference Call Information:
What: Braze Fiscal Year and Fourth Quarter 2023 Financial Results Conference Call
When: Thursday, March 30th at 5:00 pm EDT / 2:00 pm PDT
Webcast & Supplemental Data: investors.braze.com
Replay: A webcast replay will be available on Braze’s investor site at investors.braze.com.
Supplemental and Other Financial Information
Supplemental information, including an accompanying financial presentation and other information can be accessed through Braze’s investor website at investors.braze.com.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release and the accompanying tables contain the following non-GAAP financial measures: non-GAAP gross profit and margin, non-GAAP sales and marketing expense, non-GAAP research and development expense, non-GAAP general and administrative expense, non-GAAP operating loss, non-GAAP operating income margin, non-GAAP net loss, non-GAAP net loss per share, basic and diluted, and non-GAAP free cash flow. Braze defines non-GAAP gross profit and margin, non-GAAP sales and marketing expense, non-GAAP research and development expense, non-GAAP general and administrative expense, non-GAAP operating loss, non-GAAP operating income margin, and non-GAAP net loss as the respective GAAP balances, adjusted for stock-based compensation expense, employer taxes related to stock-based compensation and charitable contribution expense. Prior to the first quarter of the fiscal year ended January 31, 2023, Braze did not adjust non-GAAP gross profit and margin, non-GAAP sales and marketing expense, non-GAAP research and development expense, non-GAAP general and administrative expense, non-GAAP operating loss, non-GAAP operating income margin, or non-GAAP net loss for employer taxes related to stock-based compensation or charitable contribution expense, because these amounts were immaterial in prior periods. Braze defines non-GAAP free cash flow as net cash used in operating activities, minus purchases of property and equipment and minus capitalized internal-use software costs. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation of these historical non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.
Braze uses this non-GAAP financial information internally in analyzing its financial results and believes that this non-GAAP financial information, when taken collectively with GAAP financial measures, may be helpful to investors because it provides consistency and comparability with past financial performance and assists in comparisons with other companies, some of which use similar non-GAAP financial information to supplement their GAAP results. The non-GAAP financial information is presented for supplemental informational purposes only, and should not be considered a substitute for financial information presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP), and may be different from similarly-titled non-GAAP measures used by other companies.
The principal limitation of these non-GAAP financial measures is that they exclude significant expenses that are required by GAAP to be recorded in Braze’s financial statements. In addition, they are subject to inherent limitations as they reflect the exercise of judgment by Braze’s management about which expenses are excluded or included in determining these non-GAAP financial measures. A reconciliation is provided below in the financial statement tables included below in this press release for each non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable financial measure stated in accordance with GAAP.
Braze encourages investors to review the related GAAP financial measures and the reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, which it includes in press releases announcing quarterly and fiscal year financial results, including this press release, and not to rely on any single financial measure to evaluate Braze’s business.
Definition of Other Business Metrics
Customer: Braze defines a customer, as of period end, as the separate and distinct, ultimate parent-level entity that has an active subscription with Braze to use its products. A single organization could have multiple distinct contracting divisions or subsidiaries, all of which together would be considered a single customer.
Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR): Braze defines ARR as the annualized value of customer subscription contracts, including certain premium professional services that are subject to contractual subscription terms, as of the measurement date, assuming any contract that expires during the next 12 months is renewed on its existing terms (including contracts for which Braze is negotiating a renewal). Braze’s calculation of ARR is not adjusted for the impact of any known or projected future events (such as customer cancellations, expansion or contraction of existing customers relationships or price increases or decreases) that may cause any such contract not to be renewed on its existing terms. ARR may decline or fluctuate as a result of a number of factors, including customers’ satisfaction or dissatisfaction with Braze’s products and professional services, pricing, competitive offerings, economic conditions or overall changes in Braze’s customers’ spending levels. ARR should be viewed independently of revenue and does not represent Braze’s GAAP revenue on an annualized basis or a forecast of revenue, as it is an operating metric that can be impacted by contract start and end dates and renewal rates.
Dollar-Based Net Retention Rate: Braze calculates dollar-based net retention rate as of a period end by starting with the ARR from a cohort of customers as of 12 months prior to such period-end (the Prior Period ARR). Braze then calculates the ARR from the same cohort of customers as of the end of the current period (the Current Period ARR). Current Period ARR includes any expansion and is net of contraction or attrition over the last 12 months, but excludes ARR from new customers in the current period. Braze then divides the total Current Period ARR by the total Prior Period ARR to arrive at the point-in-time dollar-based net retention rate. Braze then calculates the weighted average point-in-time dollar-based net retention rates as of the last day of each month in the current trailing 12-month period to arrive at the dollar-based net retention rate.
Remaining Performance Obligations: The transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations represents amounts under non-cancelable contracts expected to be recognized as revenue in future periods, and may be influenced by several factors, including seasonality, the timing of renewals, the timing of service delivery and contract terms. Unbilled portions of the remaining performance obligation are subject to future economic risks including bankruptcies, regulatory changes and other market factors.
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, including but not limited to, statements regarding Braze’s financial outlook for the first quarter of and full fiscal year ended January 31, 2024. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “goal,” “hope,” “intend,” “may,” might,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “shall,” “should,” “target,” “will” “and variations of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words.
Forward-looking statements are based on Braze’s current assumptions, expectations and beliefs and are subject to substantial risks, uncertainties, assumptions and changes in circumstances that may cause Braze’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to: (1) unstable market and economic conditions may have serious adverse consequences on Braze’s business, financial condition and share price; (2) Braze’s recent rapid revenue growth may not be indicative of its future revenue growth; (3) Braze’s history of operating losses; (4) Braze’s limited operating history at its current scale; (5) Braze’s ability to successfully manage its growth; (6) the accuracy of estimates of market opportunity and forecasts of market growth and the impact of global macroeconomic uncertainty, including from global and domestic disruptions, such as the instability among financial institutions, the COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and other general market, political, economic and business conditions, that could affect Braze’s or its customers’ businesses, financial condition and results of operations; (7) Braze’s ability and the ability of its platform to adapt and respond to changing customer or consumer needs, requirements or preferences; (8) Braze’s ability to attract new customers and renew existing customers; (9) the competitive markets in which Braze participates and the intense competition that it faces; (10) Braze’s ability to adapt and respond effectively to rapidly changing technology, evolving cybersecurity and data privacy risks, evolving industry standards or changing regulations; and (11) Braze’s reliance on third-party providers of cloud-based infrastructure; as well as other risks and uncertainties discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of Braze’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on December 14, 2022 and other subsequent filings Braze makes with the SEC from time to time, including Braze’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2023 that will be filed with the SEC. The forward-looking statements included in this press release represent Braze’s views only as of the date of this press release and Braze assumes no obligation, and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
About Braze
Braze is a leading comprehensive customer engagement platform that powers interactions between consumers and brands they love. With Braze, global brands can ingest and process customer data in real time, orchestrate and optimize contextually relevant, cross-channel marketing campaigns and continuously evolve their customer engagement strategies. Braze has been recognized as one of Fortune’s 2021 Best Workplaces in New York, Fortune’s 2021 Best Workplace for Millennials, and 2021 UK Best Workplaces for Women by Great Place to Work. The company is headquartered in New York with offices in Austin, Berlin, Chicago, Jakarta, London, Paris, San Francisco, Singapore, and Tokyo. Learn more at braze.com.
Braze uses its Investor website at investors.braze.com as a means of disclosing material non-public information, announcing upcoming investor conferences and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, you should monitor its investor relations website in addition to following its press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts.
Selected Financial Data
BRAZE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended
January 31,
Fiscal Year Ended
January 31,
2023
2022
2023
2022
Revenue
$
98,675
$
70,434
$
355,426
$
238,035
Cost of revenue (1)(2)
33,425
24,775
115,818
78,511
Gross Profit
65,250
45,659
239,608
159,524
Operating expenses:
Sales and marketing (1)(2)
52,792
45,726
201,684
127,137
Research and development (1)(2)
26,754
22,904
97,293
59,034
General and administrative (1)(2)(3)(4)
22,224
19,617
88,771
51,564
Total operating expenses
101,770
88,247
387,748
237,735
Loss from operations
(36,520
)
(42,588
)
(148,140
)
(78,211
)
Other income (expense), net
3,637
362
7,977
(121
)
Loss before provision for income taxes
(32,883
)
(42,226
)
(140,163
)
(78,332
)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
925
1,117
583
(165
)
Net loss
(33,808
)
(43,343
)
(140,746
)
(78,167
)
Net loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interest
(357
)
(408
)
(1,780
)
(1,448
)
Net loss attributable to Braze, Inc.
$
(33,451
)
$
(42,935
)
$
(138,966
)
$
(76,719
)
Net loss per share attributable to Braze, Inc. common stockholders, basic and diluted
$
(0.35
)
$
(0.55
)
$
(1.47
)
$
(2.20
)
Weighted-average shares used to compute net loss per share attributable to Braze, Inc. common stockholders, basic and diluted
94,966
78,364
94,569
34,897
(1) Includes stock-based compensation expense as follows:
Three Months Ended
January 31,
Fiscal Year Ended
January 31,
2023
2022
2023
2022
Cost of revenue
$
896
$
1,654
$
3,616
$
2,185
Sales and marketing
6,253
10,400
23,871
16,281
Research and development
7,743
9,833
28,897
15,613
General and administrative
3,933
7,257
15,833
13,101
Total
$
18,825
$
29,144
$
72,217
$
47,180
(2) Includes employer taxes related to stock-based compensation as follows:
Three Months Ended
January 31,
Fiscal Year Ended
January 31,
2023
2022
2023
2022
Cost of revenue
$
14
$
—
$
71
$
—
Sales and marketing
60
—
603
—
Research and development
49
—
353
—
General and administrative
67
—
319
—
Total employer taxes related to stock-based compensation expense
$
190
$
—
$
1,346
$
—
(3) Includes 1% Pledge charitable donation expense as follows:
Three Months Ended
January 31,
Fiscal Year Ended
January 31,
2023
2022
2023
2022
General and administrative
$
—
$
—
$
4,260
$
—
(4) Includes acquisition related expense as follows:
Three Months Ended
January 31,
Fiscal Year Ended
January 31,
2023
2022
2023
2022
General and administrative
$
773
$
—
$
773
$
—
BRAZE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
January 31,
2023
2022
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
68,587
$
478,937
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $1,613 and $743 at January 31, 2023 and January 31, 2022, respectively
78,338
64,504
Marketable securities
410,083
35,156
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
26,163
29,588
Total current assets
583,171
608,185
Restricted cash, noncurrent
4,036
4,036
Property and equipment, net
20,339
7,393
Operating lease right-of-use assets
46,261
—
Deferred contract costs
48,451
41,689
Other assets
$
3,148
$
4,959
TOTAL ASSETS
$
705,406
$
666,262
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST, AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable
3,101
2,083
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
37,415
31,623
Deferred revenue
166,092
126,260
Operating lease liabilities, current
10,695
—
Total current liabilities
217,303
159,966
Operating lease liabilities, noncurrent
40,590
—
Other long-term liabilities
755
1,478
TOTAL LIABILITIES
258,648
161,444
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Redeemable non-controlling interest
1,455
3,235
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value; 2,000,000,000 and 2,000,000,000 shares authorized as of January 31, 2023 and January 31, 2022, respectively; 61,585,973 and 18,549,183 shares issued and outstanding as of January 31, 2023 and January 31, 2022, respectively
6
1
Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value; 110,000,000 and 110,000,000 shares authorized as of January 31, 2023 and January 31, 2022, respectively; 34,389,453 and 74,418,847 shares issued and outstanding as of January 31, 2023 and January 31, 2022, respectively
4
8
Additional paid-in capital
806,044
717,175
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(6,824
)
(640
)
Accumulated deficit
(353,927
)
(214,961
)
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
$
445,303
$
501,583
TOTAL LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST, AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
$
705,406
$
666,262
BRAZE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
Three Months Ended
January 31,
Fiscal Year Ended
January 31,
2023
2022
2023
2022
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss (including amounts attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests)
$
(33,808
)
$
(43,343
)
$
(140,746
)
$
(78,167
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Stock-based compensation
18,849
29,144
72,243
47,180
Amortization of deferred contract costs
6,391
4,537
23,639
17,710
Depreciation and amortization
1,692
650
4,618
2,773
Provision for credit losses
479
186
807
88
Value of common stock donated to charity
—
—
4,260
—
Amortization of discount/premium on marketable securities
583
56
1,336
369
Non-cash foreign exchange loss (gain)
(57
)
(4
)
1,612
387
Other
795
(57
)
495
(80
)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable
(20,527
)
(28,664
)
(14,650
)
(29,821
)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
(1,494
)
(13,179
)
3,596
(17,537
)
Deferred contract costs
(9,246
)
(11,050
)
(30,469
)
(31,967
)
ROU assets and liabilities
865
—
3,355
—
Other assets
678
(730
)
1,711
(4,723
)
Accounts payable
880
865
906
1,649
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
8,474
9,959
5,075
6,026
Deferred revenue
25,473
27,833
39,894
51,471
Other long-term liabilities
(15
)
(733
)
10
(756
)
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities
12
(24,530
)
(22,308
)
(35,398
)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property and equipment
(1,381
)
(1,200
)
(15,447
)
(2,310
)
Capitalized internal-use software costs
(553
)
(223
)
(1,258
)
(2,065
)
Purchases of marketable securities
(23,343
)
(4,026
)
(638,221
)
(36,894
)
Maturities of marketable securities
43,300
3,700
256,407
59,309
Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities
18,023
(1,749
)
(398,519
)
18,040
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock upon initial public offering, net of offering costs
—
462,260
—
462,260
Investment from redeemable non-controlling interest
—
—
—
2,450
Proceeds from exercise of common stock options
4,119
3,721
11,332
8,362
Payment of deferred offering costs
—
(2,673
)
—
(5,157
)
Repurchase of common shares
—
—
—
—
Repurchase of shares related to early exercised options
—
(2
)
—
(5
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
4,119
463,306
11,332
467,910
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
1,043
(66
)
(855
)
(597
)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
23,197
436,961
(410,350
)
449,955
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of period
49,426
46,012
482,973
33,018
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of period
$
72,623
$
482,973
$
72,623
$
482,973
BRAZE, INC.
U.S. GAAP RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP ADJUSTED RESULTS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
The following tables reconcile each non-GAAP financial measure to its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure:
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Gross Margin
Three Months Ended
January 31,
Fiscal Year Ended
January 31,
2023
2022
2023
2022
Gross profit
$
65,250
$
45,659
$
239,608
$
159,524
Plus:
Stock-based compensation expense
896
1,654
3,616
2,185
Employer taxes related to stock-based compensation expense
14
—
71
—
Non-GAAP gross profit
$
66,160
$
47,313
$
243,295
$
161,709
GAAP gross margin
66.1
%
64.8
%
67.4
%
67.0
%
Non-GAAP gross margin
67.0
%
67.2
%
68.5
%
67.9
%
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Operating Expenses
Three Months Ended
January 31,
Fiscal Year Ended
January 31,
2023
2022
2023
2022
GAAP sales and marketing expense
$
52,792
$
45,726
$
201,684
$
127,137
Less:
Stock-based compensation expense
6,253
10,400
23,871
16,281
Employer taxes related to stock-based compensation expense
60
—
603
—
Non-GAAP sales and marketing expense
$
46,479
$
35,326
$
177,210
$
110,856
GAAP research and development expense
$
26,754
$
22,904
$
97,293
$
59,034
Less:
Stock-based compensation expense
7,743
9,833
28,897
15,613
Employer taxes related to stock-based compensation expense
49
—
353
—
Non-GAAP research and development expense
$
18,962
$
13,071
$
68,043
$
43,421
GAAP general and administrative expense
$
22,224
$
19,617
$
88,771
$
51,564
Less:
Stock-based compensation expense
3,933
7,257
15,833
13,101
Employer taxes related to stock-based compensation expense
67
—
319
—
1% Pledge charitable contribution expense
—
—
4,260
—
Acquisition related expense
773
—
773
—
Non-GAAP general and administrative expense
$
17,451
$
12,360
$
67,586
$
38,463
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Operating Loss
Three Months Ended
January 31,
Fiscal Year Ended
January 31,
2023
2022
2023
2022
Loss from operations
$
(36,520
)
$
(42,588
)
$
(148,140
)
$
(78,211
)
Plus:
Stock-based compensation expense
18,825
29,144
72,217
47,180
Employer taxes related to stock-based compensation expense
190
—
1,346
—
1% Pledge charitable contribution expense
—
—
4,260
—
Acquisition related expense
773
—
773
—
Non-GAAP loss from operations
$
(16,732
)
$
(13,444
)
$
(69,544
)
$
(31,031
)
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Net Loss
Three Months Ended
January 31,
Fiscal Year Ended
January 31,
2023
2022
2023
2022
Net loss attributable to Braze, Inc.
$
(33,451
)
$
(42,935
)
$
(138,966
)
$
(76,719
)
Plus:
Stock-based compensation expense
18,825
29,144
72,217
47,180
Employer taxes related to stock-based compensation expense
190
—
1,346
—
1% Pledge charitable contribution expense
—
—
4,260
—
Acquisition related expense
773
—
773
—
Non-GAAP net loss attributable to Braze, Inc.(1)
$
(13,663
)
$
(13,791
)
$
(60,370
)
$
(29,539
)
Non-GAAP net loss per share attributable to Braze, Inc.
common stockholders, basic and diluted
$
(0.14
)
$
(0.18
)
$
(0.64
)
$
(0.85
)
Weighted-average shares used to compute net loss per
share attributable to Braze, Inc. common stockholders,
basic and diluted
94,966
78,364
94,569
34,897
(1) Assumes no tax impact due to the Company’s net loss position and deferred tax assets.
Reconciliation of GAAP Cash Flow from Operating
Activities to Non-GAAP Free Cash Flow
Three Months Ended
January 31,
Fiscal Year Ended
January 31,
2023
2022
2023
2022
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities
$
12
$
(24,530
)
$
(22,308
)
$
(35,398
)
Less:
Purchases of property and equipment
(1,381
)
(1,200
)
(15,447
)
(2,310
)
Capitalized internal-use software costs
(553
)
(223
)
(1,258
)
(2,065
)
Non-GAAP free cash flow
$
(1,922
)
$
(25,953
)
$
(39,013
)
$
(39,773
)
Braze is a registered trademark of Braze, Inc.
All product and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered owners.
Investors:
Christopher Ferris
IR@braze.com
(609) 964-0585
Media:
Meghan Halaszynski
Press@braze.com
Investors:
Christopher Ferris
IR@braze.com
(609) 964-0585
Media:
Meghan Halaszynski
Press@braze.com
