Braze(BRZE) - 2026 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Braze reported Q1 2026 revenue of $162.1 million, representing a nearly 20% year-over-year increase [6][18] - Non-GAAP operating margin improved by over 900 basis points year-over-year, with non-GAAP net income of $7 million and free cash flow of nearly $23 million [6][24] - Total remaining performance obligation (RPO) was $829.3 million, up 26% year-over-year, while current RPO increased by 24% year-over-year to $522 million [20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Subscription revenue accounted for 96% of total revenue, with the remaining 4% from professional services and onboarding fees [18] - The customer count rose to 2,342, an increase of 11% year-over-year, with large customers (spending at least $500,000 annually) growing by 24% year-over-year to 262 [18][19] - Dollar-based net retention (DBNR) was 109 overall and 112 for large customers, indicating strong customer expansion [19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue outside the U.S. contributed 46% of total revenue, up from 45% in the previous quarter [20] - The company secured new business wins across various sectors, including fintech, luxury retail, and healthcare, demonstrating broad market strength [7][9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Braze aims to become the leading customer engagement platform globally, focusing on AI-driven solutions and first-party data utilization [6][10] - The acquisition of OfferFit is expected to enhance Braze's AI capabilities and customer engagement strategies, allowing for more personalized experiences [12][14] - The company is committed to investing in technology and community to elevate customer engagement practices [11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that global trade concerns have not significantly impacted deal cycles, and they expect continued momentum despite a noisy macro environment [6][7] - The company anticipates that the legacy replacement cycle and vendor consolidation trends will persist, providing opportunities for market share growth [9][10] - Management expressed confidence in achieving sustained profitable growth while navigating economic uncertainties [6][27] Other Important Information - Braze's non-GAAP gross profit for the quarter was $112 million, with a gross margin of 69.3%, up from 67.9% in the prior year [21] - The company ended the quarter with approximately $540 million in cash and equivalents, indicating strong liquidity [24] Q&A Session Summary Question: Reconciling sequential growth and CRPO dynamics - Management acknowledged that CRPO is sensitive to renewal dollars and emphasized that revenue is the key metric to watch for macro stabilization [32][34] Question: Performance of Project Catalyst - Project Catalyst is in private beta, and while specific uplift case studies are not available, initial results show promise in optimizing customer engagement strategies [43][45] Question: Renewal cadence and OfferFit feedback - Q1 was a heavy renewal quarter, with expectations for a drop in Q2 and Q3, followed by another increase in Q4 [63] - Early feedback on OfferFit has been positive, with strong interest from customers and successful presentations at events [55][57] Question: Pricing and packaging changes - The new pricing model has relaxed data point limits, improving customer flexibility and reducing friction in sales cycles [70][72] Question: Impact of OfferFit on EBIT guidance - OfferFit is expected to contribute significantly to EBIT, with around 80% of the impact attributed to its integration [74][76]