Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue in Q3 2025 reached $5.1 million, reflecting a 33% year-over-year growth, primarily driven by a $1 million perpetual license expansion sale and a $600,000 new term license contract [10][11] - Operating expenses increased to $6.4 million from $5.4 million in the prior year, attributed to investments in sales, marketing, and product development [10][11] - Net loss for the quarter improved to $1.1 million or $0.05 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $1.2 million or $0.06 per diluted share in the prior year [11] - Adjusted EBITDA loss was $800,000, an improvement from a loss of $1.1 million in the prior year [11] - Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities at the end of the quarter totaled $22.5 million, with no debt [11][12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is focused on two core markets: government and commercial enterprises, with growing demand for biometric solutions in both sectors [12][14] - In the government sector, there is an emphasis on modernization initiatives and compliance with Buy American requirements, particularly within the Department of Homeland Security [9][14] - On the commercial side, enterprises are increasingly adopting biometric solutions for workforce and customer use cases, emphasizing privacy and interoperability [9][15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The shift in customer perceptions around biometrics has been significant, with everyday use of biometric technologies making them familiar and expected [4][5] - The federal government is experiencing tailwinds from funding for biometric modernization, although the federal shutdown has caused delays in appropriations [6][14] - The commercial sector is seeing a trend towards biometric-anchored digital identity solutions, particularly in fraud-prone verticals like financial services and travel [15][16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is executing a three-pronged transformation strategy focused on advancing core biometric technology, strengthening the go-to-market model, and deepening strategic relationships [4][5] - Aware aims to deliver adaptive liveness detection and interoperability, positioning itself as a trusted provider in the biometric space [5][17] - The strategy includes prioritizing large, durable opportunities in federal and enterprise markets to drive multi-year recurring revenue [17][18] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledges the impact of the federal budget delays on near-term bookings but expects significant deal flow once the shutdown is resolved [23][24] - The company is focused on building a sustainable revenue model and improving pipeline conversion patterns to achieve more consistent growth [21][22] - Aware is committed to investing in certifications and partnerships that enhance its competitive position and reduce adoption friction for customers [30][32] Other Important Information - The company has upgraded leadership across revenue, marketing, and product to align the organization for disciplined scaling [8] - Aware's platform has achieved significant certifications, including FIDO Alliance certification, which enhances its credibility and reduces compliance friction [8][30] Q&A Session Summary Question: Q3 revenue grew 33% year-over-year but was flat year to date. Can you elaborate on the drivers of that variance? - The variance is due to the timing of customer decisions and license mix, with a focus on building a more sustainable revenue model [21] Question: Can you give more color to the pipeline conversion patterns? - There is healthy engagement and visibility into opportunities, but customer decision timing can still affect quarterly results [22] Question: How significant has the federal budget delays been to near-term bookings? - The government shutdown has impacted near-term bookings, but there is still ongoing conversation and expected urgency to deploy budgets once resolved [23][24] Question: Who do you view as your primary competitors in the biometric space? - The primary competition includes internal development within large enterprises, with Aware focusing on providing scalable solutions [25][26] Question: How do you prioritize new certifications like ISO or FedRAMP? - Certifications are crucial for customer trust and are prioritized to ensure compliance with modern cybersecurity threats [30][32] Question: How should we think about expense levels and operating leverage in FY2026? - Operating expenses will continue to rise as investments are made in growth, with a focus on efficiency and driving top-line revenue [34]