IRIS Regtech Solutions
Q3 FY23 Earnings Call Analysis
IT - Software
fundraise: Yescapex: Yesrevenue: Category 3margin: Category 3orderbook: Yes
💰fundraise
Any current/future new fundraising through debt or equity?
- The company is open to raising funds and is in the market for money but will not sell at a low valuation.
- Rights issue is ruled out because promoters currently lack funds to subscribe; they haven't taken salaries for a long time.
- Preference is for private placement, preferential placement, or similar fundraising methods, and discussions with potential investors are ongoing.
- Increasing authorized capital ties into potential ESOP issuance and preparation for investor interest, but ESOP and capital increase decisions are deferred for now.
- Management emphasizes they are confident in growth but cautious on valuations and will not accept scrap value.
- Marketing and sales expansion plans depend on securing additional funding; without financial support, growth may be limited.
- Promoters do not have money for rights issue; thus, capital raising will likely be through selective equity placements rather than rights.
🏗️capex
Any current/future capex/capital investment/strategic investment?
- Currently, the company is focused on increasing marketing expenditure and customer outreach, spending generated cash on marketing activities, conferences, and customer trips.
- There are plans to expand the technology and development teams, including establishing a new development center in Surat targeting skilled professionals, with about 50 people expected by year-end.
- The company is considering raising funds but not through rights issues due to promoter financial constraints; private or preferential placements are being explored.
- ESOP issuance is planned at market price without discounts to attract and retain talent.
- No explicit mention of large-capex projects, but emphasis on scaling sales, marketing, and product development infrastructure suggests strategic investments in human capital and product enhancement.
- Focus on upgrading product lines and incorporating new technologies aligned with global standards.
- Capital raising intentions are aligned with growth ambitions but await better market valuations before proceeding.
📊revenue
Future growth expectations in sales/revenue/volumes?
- The company targets a consistent growth rate of 20%+ annually, achievable even without significant additional resources.
- Growth is expected to be driven by mandates; however, the company is increasingly focusing on non-mandate, non-replacement market activities, such as the Disclosure Management initiative.
- Expansion plans include strengthening sales and marketing infrastructure, especially for international markets like the U.S. and Europe, where CARBON product is focused.
- Marketing spend has increased significantly to improve customer outreach via conferences, digital marketing, and customer testimonials.
- Ongoing hiring and team expansion, including a new development center in Surat, aim to support growth.
- Execution of a strong order book (around INR120 crores) spread over 18-24 months supports short to medium-term revenue growth.
- Challenges include limited funding for aggressive marketing and sales, which could accelerate growth if resolved.
- Optimism exists for ESG-related opportunities, though regulatory urgency varies globally.
📈margin
Future growth expectations in earnings/operating earnings/profits/EPS?
- The company targets a 20%+ annual growth trajectory going forward, driven by expanding both mandate-related and non-mandate activities. (Page 13)
- Limited by financial constraints currently, especially marketing and sales budget, implying growth could be faster with more funding. (Pages 8, 13)
- Growth of Collect segment was strong (~70% increase) and order book has improved, indicating recurring and implementation revenues supporting future earnings. (Pages 3, 10, 11)
- Create segment growth more modest (~10%) and dependent on mandates and discretionary spend but expected to improve with additional resources. (Pages 3, 15)
- Market conditions (global slowdown, regulatory delays) could impact short-term growth pace but long-term optimism remains. (Pages 11, 15)
- Profit after tax rose ~88% in recent half-year, EBITDA margin steady at 13%, showing operational improvements and profitable growth. (Page 3)
- Company confident of growth despite resource constraints; raising capital through private/preferential placements to accelerate growth is under discussion. (Pages 8, 16)
📋orderbook
Current/ Expected Orderbook/ Pending Orders?
- Current order book is around INR 120 crores as of the latest update (November 2023).
- This INR 120 crores includes both recurring revenue (INR 55-60 crores annually) and non-recurring implementation contracts.
- The order book spans a period of approximately 18 to 24 months, expected to be executed by December 2025.
- The large portion of the order book relates to the South African Reserve Bank deal and other Collect segment contracts.
- New orders alongside recurring revenues keep the overall order book steady despite ongoing execution.
- Additional elements of execution and potential further add-ons are anticipated, especially from South Africa.
- Recurring revenues add clarity to order visibility, but merging with implementation revenues can confuse timeframes.
- The management is cautious in divulging detailed breakdowns to avoid compromising competitive positioning.
