Research Solutions Reports Fiscal Third Quarter 2025 Results

Reports 23 Percent Increase in ARR to $20.4 Million and 43 Net New Platform Deployments, Positive Net Income and Record Adjusted EBITDA and Cashflow

HENDERSON, Nev., May 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Research Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: RSSS), the leading AI-powered research workflow platform, reported financial results for its fiscal third quarter ended March 31, 2025.

Fiscal Third Quarter 2025 Summary

    --  Total revenue of $12.7 million, compared to $12.1 million in the
        prior-year quarter.
    --  Platform revenue up 22% to $4.8 million. Platform revenue accounted for
        38% of total revenue as compared to 33% in the prior-year quarter.
    --  Annual Recurring Revenue ("ARR") up 23% to $20.4 million, which includes
        approximately $13.5 million of B2B recurring revenue and $6.9 million of
        B2C recurring revenue.  Net B2B ARR growth in the quarter was $736,000,
        a Company record for quarterly B2B growth.
    --  Gross profit up 14% from the prior-year quarter. Total gross margin
        improved 430 basis points to 49.5%.
    --  Net income of $216,000 or $0.01 per diluted share, compared to net
        income of $76,000 or nil per diluted share in the prior-year quarter.
    --  Adjusted EBITDA of $1.4 million compared to $961,000 in the prior-year
        quarter.  On a trailing twelve-months ("TTM") basis, the Company has now
        generated Adjusted EBITDA of $5.1 million, which represents a 10.4%
        margin.
    --  Cash flow from operations of approximately $2.9 million in the quarter,
        which was a Company quarterly record, compared to $2.0 million in the
        prior-year quarter.

"This quarter represents a number of significant milestone achievements for our Company. We are pleased to report ARR above $20 million for the first time in our history. Revenue from our AI-based B2B offerings has grown over 180% in the last year, and we continue to experience strong growth in our B2C offerings and core Article Galaxy platform. These results are due in part to our revamped sales strategy, which better demonstrates to potential customers the improved efficiency and cost savings offered by our products within the research process workflow," said Roy W. Olivier, President and CEO of Research Solutions. "As we experience strong organic growth in ARR sales, we continue to outperform when it comes to generating operating cash flow and Adjusted EBITDA, which positions us to reinvest in our business or make acquisitions that broaden our product capabilities and enhance our cross-selling opportunities."

Fiscal Third Quarter 2025 Results

Total revenue was $12.7 million, a 4.5% increase from $12.1 million in the year-ago quarter as platform revenue growth more than offset a decline in transaction revenue from the prior period.

Platform subscription revenue increased 22% to $4.8 million compared to $4.0 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase was primarily due to an increase in the total number of paid Platform deployments and B2C subscribers, as well as upsells to existing customers. The quarter ended with annual recurring revenue of $20.4 million, up 23% year-over-year (see the Company's definition of annual recurring revenue below).

Transaction revenue was $7.8 million, compared to $8.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2024. The decrease was primarily due to lower paid order volume in the period. The transaction customer count for the quarter was 1,380, compared to 1,426 customers in the prior-year quarter (see the Company's definition of active customer accounts and transactions below).

Total gross margin improved 430 basis points from the prior-year quarter to 49.5%. The increase was primarily driven by a continued revenue mix shift to the higher-margin Platforms business as well as increased margins in that business and the transaction business.

Total operating expenses were $5.7 million, compared to $5.4 million in the third quarter of 2024. The increases were related to additional costs in Sales and Marketing, offset by some reductions in General and Administrative expenses.

Net income for the third quarter was $216,000, or $0.01 per diluted share, compared to net income of $76,000, or nil per diluted share, in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted EBITDA was $1.4 million, compared to $961,000 in the year-ago quarter (see definition and further discussion about the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP term, below).

Conference Call

Research Solutions President and CEO Roy W. Olivier and CFO Bill Nurthen will host the conference call, followed by a question and answer period.

Date: Thursday, May 8, 2025
Time: 5:00 p.m. ET (2:00 p.m. PT)
Dial-in number: 1-203-518-9843
Conference ID: RESEARCH

The conference call will be broadcast live and available for replay until June 8, 2025 by dialing 1-412-317-6671 and using the replay ID 11158769, and via the investor relations section of the company's website at http://researchsolutions.investorroom.com/.

Fiscal Third Quarter Financial and Operational Summary Tables vs. Prior-Year Quarter




                                                                                          
            
        Quarter Ended March 31,                                           
       
           Nine Months Ended March 31,


                                                                                  2025          2024                  Change    % Change                         2025                    2024                        Change     % Change



     Revenue:


                                        
     Platforms                           $4,839,929    $3,953,403                $886,526       22.4 %                  $13,770,831              $9,679,179                    $4,091,652        42.3 %


                                        
     Transactions                        $7,821,434    $8,162,269               (340,835)      -4.2 %                  $22,849,233             $22,811,206                        38,027         0.2 %



     Total Revenue                                               12,661,363   12,115,672       545,691                   4.5 %                 36,620,064     32,490,385               4,129,679                        12.7 %





     Gross Profit:


                                        
     Platforms                            4,229,623     3,382,051                 847,572       25.1 %                   11,993,516               8,239,028                     3,754,488        45.6 %


                                        
     Transactions                         2,037,457     2,099,881                (62,424)      -3.0 %                    5,860,533               5,758,272                       102,261         1.8 %



     Total Gross Profit                                           6,267,080    5,481,932       785,148                  14.3 %                 17,854,049     13,997,300               3,856,749                        27.6 %





     Gross profit as a % of revenue:


                                        
     Platforms                               87.4 %       85.5 %                  1.8 %                                   87.1 %                 85.1 %                        2.0 %


                                        
     Transactions                            26.0 %       25.7 %                  0.3 %                                   25.6 %                 25.2 %                        0.4 %



     Total Gross Profit                                              49.5 %      45.2 %        4.3 %                                            48.8 %        43.1 %                  5.7 %





     Operating Expenses:


                                        
     Sales and marketing                  1,607,678     1,122,365                 485,313       43.2 %                    4,141,172               2,612,308                     1,528,864        58.5 %


                                          Technology and product development   1,394,936     1,371,754                  23,182        1.7 %                    4,274,543               3,952,891                       321,652         8.1 %


                                          General and administrative           1,845,411     2,027,074               (181,663)      -9.0 %                    5,783,788               6,593,791                     (810,002)      -12.3 %


                                          Depreciation and amortization          312,013       309,898                   2,115        0.7 %                      930,341                 525,267                       405,074        77.1 %


                                        
     Stock-based compensation               594,639       541,002                  53,637        9.9 %                    1,546,950               1,729,271                     (182,321)      -10.5 %


                                          Foreign currency translation loss     (44,519)       22,177                (66,696)          NM                    (119,205)                 15,059                     (134,264)           NM



     Total Operating Expenses                                     5,710,158    5,394,270       315,888                   5.9 %                 16,557,589     15,428,587               1,129,003                         7.3 %



     Income (loss) from operations                                  556,922       87,663       469,259                 535.3 %                  1,296,460    (1,431,286)              2,727,746                            NM





     Other Income (Expenses):


                                        
     Other income                         (327,042)       31,228               (358,270)          NM                  (2,316,404)                547,965                   (2,864,369)           NM


                                          Provision for income taxes            (13,410)     (42,590)                 29,180      -68.5 %                     (74,816)               (82,049)                        7,233        -8.8 %



     Total Other Income (Expenses):                               (340,452)    (11,362)    (329,090)                     NM                (2,391,220)       465,916             (2,857,136)                           NM



     Net income (loss)                                             $216,470      $76,301       140,169                 183.7 %               $(1,094,760)    $(965,370)              (129,390)                      -13.4 %


                                                                                                                                                                                                                       NM



     Adjusted EBITDA                                             $1,419,055     $960,740      $458,315                  47.7 %                 $3,654,546       $838,311              $2,816,235                       335.9 %




                                                                                          
            
        Quarter Ended March 31,                                           
       
           Nine Months Ended March 31,


                                                                                  2025          2024                  Change    % Change                         2025                    2024                        Change     % Change



     
              Platforms:


                                          B2B ARR (Annual recurring
                                           revenue*):


                                        
       Beginning of Period              $12,738,256   $11,614,748              $1,123,508        9.7 %                  $12,060,201              $9,444,130                    $2,616,071        27.7 %


                                        
        Incremental ARR                     735,818        38,315                 697,503     1820.4 %                    1,413,873               2,208,933                     (795,060)      -36.0 %


                                        
       End of Period                    $13,474,074   $11,653,063              $1,821,011       15.6 %                  $13,474,074             $11,653,063                    $1,821,012        15.6 %




                                        
     Deployments:


                                        
       Beginning of Period                    1,090           942                     148       15.7 %                        1,021                     835                           186        22.3 %


                                             Incremental Deployments                  43            41                       2        4.9 %                          112                     148                          (36)      -24.3 %


                                        
       End of Period                          1,133           983                     150       15.3 %                        1,133                     983                           150        15.3 %




                                          ASP (Average sales price):


                                        
       Beginning of Period                  $11,686       $12,330                  $(643)      -5.2 %                      $11,812                 $11,310                          $502         4.4 %


                                        
       End of Period                        $11,892       $11,855                     $38        0.3 %                      $11,892                 $11,855                           $38         0.3 %




                                          B2C ARR (Annual recurring
                                           revenue*):


                                        
       Beginning of Period               $6,371,381    $3,954,090              $2,417,291       61.1 %                   $5,363,129    
       $              -                   $5,363,129            NM


                                        
        Incremental ARR                     506,545       948,885               (442,340)          NM                    1,514,797               4,902,975                   (3,388,178)           NM


                                        
       End of Period                     $6,877,926    $4,902,975              $1,974,951       40.3 %                   $6,877,926              $4,902,975                    $1,974,951        40.3 %




                                          Total ARR (Annualized recurring
                                           revenue):                         $20,352,000   $16,556,038              $3,795,962       22.9 %                  $20,352,000             $16,556,038                    $3,795,963        22.9 %





     
              Transaction Customers:


                                        
     Corporate customers                      1,060         1,105                    (45)      -4.1 %                        1,062                   1,087                          (25)       -2.3 %


                                        
     Academic customers                         320           321                     (1)      -0.3 %                          323                     320                             3         1.0 %


                                        
     Total customers                          1,380         1,426                    (46)      -3.2 %                        1,385                   1,407                          (22)       -1.5 %

Active Customer Accounts, Transactions and Annual Recurring Revenue

The Company defines active customer accounts as the sum of the total quantity of customers per month for each month in the period divided by the respective number of months in the period. The quantity of customers per month is defined as customers with at least one transaction during the month.

A transaction is an order for a unit of copyrighted content fulfilled or managed in the Platform.

The Company defines annual recurring revenue ("ARR") as the value of contracted Platform subscription recurring revenue normalized to a one-year period. For B2C ARR, this includes the annualized value of monthly subscriptions, meaning their monthly value multiplied by twelve.

Use of Non-GAAP Measure - Adjusted EBITDA

Research Solutions' management evaluates and makes operating decisions using various financial metrics. In addition to the Company's GAAP results, management also considers the non-GAAP measure of Adjusted EBITDA. Management believes that this non-GAAP measure provides useful information about the Company's operating results.

The tables below provide a reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss), plus interest expense, other income (expense) including any change in fair value of contingent earnout liability, foreign currency transaction loss, provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, and other potential adjustments that may arise. Set forth below is a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss):


                                                               
            
     Quarter Ended March 31,                         
         
            Nine Months Ended March 31,


                                                          2025     2024               Change          % Change         2025        2024                        Change       % Change



     Net Income (loss)                               $216,470  $76,301             $140,169            183.7 % $(1,094,760) $(965,370)                   $(129,390)        -13.4 %



       Add (deduct):



          Other (income) expense                      327,042 (31,228)             358,270        NM             2,316,404   (547,965)                    2,864,369     NM



          Foreign currency translation loss (gain)   (44,519)  22,177             (66,696)       NM             (119,205)     15,059                     (134,264)    NM



          Provision for income taxes                   13,410   42,590             (29,180)           -68.5 %       74,816      82,049                       (7,233)         -8.8 %



          Depreciation and amortization               312,013  309,898                2,115              0.7 %      930,341     525,267                       405,074          77.1 %



          Stock-based compensation                    594,639  541,002               53,637              9.9 %    1,546,950   1,729,271                     (182,321)        -10.5 %



     Adjusted EBITDA                               $1,419,055 $960,740             $458,315             47.7 %   $3,654,546    $838,311                    $2,816,235         335.9 %

About Research Solutions
Research Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: RSSS) provides cloud-based technologies to streamline the process of obtaining, managing, and creating intellectual property. Founded in 2006 as Reprints Desk, the Company was a pioneer in developing solutions to serve researchers. Today, more than 70 percent of the top pharmaceutical companies, prestigious universities, and emerging businesses rely on Article Galaxy, the Company's SaaS research platform, to streamline access to the latest scientific research and data with 24/7 customer support. For more information and details, please visit www.researchsolutions.com

Important Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release may contain "forward-looking statements" regarding future events and our future results. All statements other than statements of historical facts are statements that could be deemed to be forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections about the markets in which we operate and the beliefs and assumptions of our management. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "targets," "goals," "projects", "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "endeavors," "strives," "may," or variations of such words, and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict, estimate or verify. Therefore, actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include those factors described in the Company's most recent annual report on Form 10-K, as such may be amended or supplemented by subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, or other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Examples of forward-looking statements in this release include statements regarding enhanced product offerings, additional customers, and the Company's prospects for growth. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements. For more information, please refer to the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


                                                                                                      
              
         Research Solutions, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                                                                                                  
              
         Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)




                                                                                                                                                                                  March 31,                   June 30,


                                                                                                                                                                               2025                  2024



              
                Assets



              
                Current assets:



              Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                                              $
        9,852,007        $
         6,100,031



              Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $82,026 and $68,579, respectively                                                                                   7,604,058               6,879,800



              Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                                                                                                      625,727                 643,553



              Prepaid royalties                                                                                                                                              755,299               1,067,237



              Total current assets                                                                                                                                        18,837,091              14,690,621





              
                Non-current assets:



              Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $944,694 and $922,558, respectively                                                                  60,051                  88,011



              Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $2,431,738 and $1,535,310, respectively                                                                9,956,378              10,764,261



              Goodwill                                                                                                                                                    16,372,979              16,315,888



              Deposits and other assets                                                                                                                                          881                     981



              
                Total assets                                                                                                                             $
        45,227,380       $
         41,859,762





              
                Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity



              
                Current liabilities:



              Accounts payable and accrued expenses                                                                                                                  $
        8,529,572        $
         8,843,612



              Deferred revenue                                                                                                                                            10,355,768               9,023,848



              Contingent earnout liability, current portion                                                                                                                6,019,488



              Total current liabilities                                                                                                                                   24,904,828              17,867,460





              
                Non-current liabilities:



              Contingent earnout liability, long-term portion                                                                                                              9,091,422              12,298,114



              
                Total liabilities                                                                                                                              33,996,250              30,165,574





              
                Commitments and contingencies





              
                Stockholders' equity:



              Preferred stock; $0.001 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding



              Common stock; $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 32,405,120 and 32,295,373 shares                                                                 32,405                  32,295
    issued and outstanding, respectively



              Additional paid-in capital                                                                                                                                  38,728,405              38,089,958



              Accumulated deficit                                                                                                                                       (27,404,006)           (26,309,246)



              Accumulated other comprehensive loss                                                                                                                         (125,674)              (118,819)



              Total stockholders' equity                                                                                                                                  11,231,130              11,694,188



              
                Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                                                                                               $
        45,227,380       $
         41,859,762


                                                             
           
                Research Solutions, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                                                       
       
       Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

                                                                         
              
                (Unaudited)






                                                                                                                        Three Months Ended                            Nine Months Ended


                                                                                                                            March 31,                                     March 31,


                                                                                                          2025                                   2024               2025                     2024





     Revenue:



     Platforms                                                                            $
              4,839,929                       $
           3,953,403  $
           13,770,831           $
         9,679,179



     Transactions                                                                                     7,821,434                                8,162,269           22,849,233                 22,811,206



     Total revenue                                                                                   12,661,363                               12,115,672           36,620,064                 32,490,385





     Cost of revenue:



     Platforms                                                                                          610,306                                  571,352            1,777,315                  1,440,151



     Transactions                                                                                     5,783,977                                6,062,388           16,988,700                 17,052,934



     Total cost of revenue                                                                            6,394,283                                6,633,740           18,766,015                 18,493,085



     Gross profit                                                                                     6,267,080                                5,481,932           17,854,049                 13,997,300





     
                Operating expenses:



     Selling, general and administrative                                                              5,398,145                                5,084,371           15,627,248                 14,903,319



     Depreciation and amortization                                                                      312,013                                  309,898              930,341                    525,267



     Total operating expenses                                                                         5,710,158                                5,394,269           16,557,589                 15,428,586





     Income (loss) from operations                                                                      556,922                                   87,663            1,296,460                (1,431,286)





     Other income                                                                                        78,868                                   31,228              496,392                    279,678



     Change in fair value of contingent earnout liability                                             (405,910)                                                 (2,812,796)                   268,287





     Income (loss) before provision for income taxes                                                    229,880                                  118,891          (1,019,944)                 (883,321)



     Provision for income taxes                                                                        (13,410)                                (42,590)            (74,816)                  (82,049)





     Net income (loss)                                                                                  216,470                                   76,301          (1,094,760)                 (965,370)





     
                Other comprehensive income (loss):



     Foreign currency translation                                                                       (3,324)                                     858              (6,855)                     6,261



     Comprehensive income (loss)                                                            $
              213,146                          $
           77,159 $
           (1,101,615)          $
         (959,109)





     Basic income (loss) per common share:



     Net income (loss) per share                                                               $
              0.01        
              $                          $
           (0.04)             $
         (0.03)



     Weighted average common shares outstanding                                                      31,033,022                               30,020,652           30,597,410                 28,377,199





     Diluted income (loss) per common share:



     Net income (loss) per share                                                               $
              0.01        
              $                          $
           (0.04)             $
         (0.03)



     Weighted average common shares outstanding                                                      32,139,935                               33,511,242           30,597,410                 28,377,199


                                                                   
              
             Research Solutions, Inc. and Subsidiaries

                                                                
              
             Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

                                                                                  
           
                (Unaudited)






                                                                                                                                                         Nine Months Ended


                                                                                                                                                             March 31,


                                                                                                                                                  2025                          2024





     
                Cash flow from operating activities:



     Net loss                                                                                                                       $
          (1,094,760)           $
             (965,370)



     Adjustment to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:



     Depreciation and amortization                                                                                                              930,341                         525,267



     Stock options expense                                                                                                                      146,751                         104,502



     Restricted common stock expense                                                                                                          1,400,199                       1,603,820



     Modification cost of accelerated vesting of restricted common stock                                                                                                        20,949



     Adjustment to contingent earnout liability                                                                                               2,812,796                       (268,287)



     Changes in operating assets and liabilities:



     Accounts receivable                                                                                                                      (754,258)                      (739,883)



     Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                                                                                   17,826                       (156,026)



     Prepaid royalties                                                                                                                          311,938                         197,888



     Accounts payable and accrued expenses                                                                                                    (338,502)                        498,584



     Deferred revenue                                                                                                                         1,331,920                         768,347



     Net cash provided by operating activities                                                                                                4,764,251                       1,589,791





     
                Cash flow from investing activities:



     Purchase of property and equipment                                                                                                        (11,571)                       (57,761)



     Payment for acquisition of Resolute, net of cash acquired                                                                                                             (2,718,253)



     Payment for acquisition of Scite, net of cash acquired                                                                                                                (7,305,493)



     Net cash used in investing activities                                                                                                     (11,571)                   (10,081,507)





     
                Cash flow from financing activities:



     Common stock repurchase                                                                                                                  (908,393)                      (522,024)



     Payment of contingent acquisition consideration                                                                                           (91,174)                      (314,960)



     Net cash used in financing activities                                                                                                    (999,567)                      (836,984)





     Effect of exchange rate changes                                                                                                            (1,137)                          4,791



     Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                                                                                     3,751,976                     (9,323,909)



     Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period                                                                                           6,100,031                      13,545,333



     Cash and cash equivalents, end of period                                                                                         $
          9,852,007            $
             4,221,424





     
                Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:



     Cash paid for income taxes                                                                                                          $
          74,816               $
             82,049





     
                Non-cash investing and financing activities:



     Contingent consideration accrual on asset acquisition                                                                               $
          29,394               $
             36,130

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SOURCE Research Solutions, Inc.