Genius Group Announces 120.76% Revenue Growth for First Half of 2023


SINGAPORE, Sept. 29, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Genius Group Limited (NYSE American: GNS) (“Genius Group” or the “Company”), a leading entrepreneur edtech and education group, today announced its financial results for the first half of 2023.

“We are extremely pleased with the revenue growth we have achieved in the first six months of 2023, and anticipate reporting even stronger numbers for the second half of the year. We believe that the revenue growth we have experienced exceeds the industry as a whole, and underlines the demand for our unique entrepreneur curriculum and the strength of our Edtech business model.” said Roger Hamilton, CEO of Genius Group.

“With the launch of our Genie AI and Genie Metaversity, providing AI-driven personalized learning and virtual global classrooms, we are well positioned towards our long-term goal of impacting 100 million students globally with the 21st century skills they need to succeed.”

Financial Highlights for the First Half of 2023

  • First half revenue of $11.8 million, 120.76% growth over first half of 2022. The revenue on a pro forma basis was $9.0 million, which excludes the spin off entity, Entrepreneur Resorts Ltd
  • First half gross margin of $6.2 million or 52.58% compared to $2.2 million or 41.75% in first half of 2022. The pro forma gross margin was $4.3 million or 48.33% for the six months ending June 30, 2023
  • First half adjusted EBITDA net loss of ($7.3) million, or ($0.22) per basic and diluted share compared to adjusted EBITDA net loss of ($2.0) million or ($0.11) per basic and diluted share in first half of 2022. First half 2023 adjusted EBITDA net loss of ($7.3) million, or ($0.22) per basic and diluted share on a pro forma basis
  • First half net loss of ($10.8) million, or ($0.32) per basic and diluted share compared to ($3.5) million, or ($0.20) per basic and diluted share. On a pro forma basis, first half 2023 net loss was ($10.8) million, or ($0.32) per basic and diluted share
  • $2.6 million cash and equivalents as of June 30, 2023, compared to $5.7 million as of December 31, 2022
  • Adjusting 2023 full year guidance to $26.0 million to $29.0 million

“While the company has put significant focus on various corporate actions and incur significant increased costs in 2023 to protect our shareholders, we have done so while growing our student base and gross margins.” Said Erez Simha, CFO of Genius Group. “We remain committed to achieving our revenue growth targets while cutting costs and moving towards a cash positive operating model.”

Student and Partner Growth Highlights for the First Half of 2023

The Company exceeded its growth targets for students and partners:

  • Students and users growth of 21%, from 4.5 million students at the end of 2022 to 5.4 million students and users at the end of June 2023, representing an annualized growth rate of 41%
  • Paying students and users growth of 4%, from 171,919 students and users at the end of 2022 to 179,149 paying students and users at the end of June 2023, representing an annualized growth rate of 8%
  • Partner growth of 1% from 14,760 at the end of 2022 to 14,942 in June 2023, representing an annualized growth rate of 2%

Strategic and Operational Highlights for the First Half of 2023

  • Genius Group won Real Leaders Impact awards in January 2023
  • Launched California Business School at UAV and Global Entrepreneurship Program at GeniusU in February 2023
  • Strategic partnership with Swiss School of Business Management to launch international DBA in March 2023
  • Launched the Alpha and Beta version of the Genie AI in April and June 2023 to assist students throughout their learning journey on GeniusU
  • Launch of Genius Metaversity in June 2023, a virtual reality learning environmental in partnership with Vatom to hold educational courses and summits in the Metaverse
  • Launch of $1m entrepreneur scholarship fund for students at the University of Antelope Valley with AI Entrepreneur Certification in June 2023
  • Launched legal action against illegal trading activities in company shares
  • Distributed $10 NFT Coupon to Genius Group investors in March 2023
  • Spin off of Entrepreneur Resorts was approved by the Board of Directors in January 2023, approved by shareholders in May 2023 and approved by the Singapore High Court in August 2023.

Recent Strategic and Operational Highlights

  • Appointment of Jennifer Brady as Head of Digital Marketing to lead marketing efforts across our subsidiaries
  • Appointment of Jason Jaingue as Head of Global Product to enhance our customer and partner experiences across all of our products
  • Genius Group Launches Genius Metaversity 2.0 in Partnership with Vatom and GeniusX
  • Signed, executed and delivered a bridge note with an accredited investor in the face amount of $3.2 million, which has a $200,000 original issue discount, out of it $2M were received by the company in July and August
  • Senior Secured Convertible Note signed in August 2022 with Alto Opportunity Master Fund, SPC – Segregated Master Portfolio B has been reduced to current balance of US$53,344 as of August 2023
  • Dual listed Genius Group on Upstream on April 6, 2023 but delisting expected on or about September 29, 2023 due to complex securities regulations arising from dual listing on Upstream and NYSE and de minimis use of Upstream by GNS shareholders
  • ERL was dual listed on Upstream in September 2023 and the share dividend distribution and spin off date is expected to be on 2 October 2023

Financial Guidance

Genius Group changes its 2023 financial guidance:

  • 2023 revenue of $26 million to $29 million compared to 2022 revenue of $18.2 million
  • 2023 net loss of ($15.5) million to ($17.0) million compared to 2022 net loss of ($55.3) million (before expected adjustments writing back contingent liabilities at year end, which will reduce net loss)
  • 2023 adjusted EBITDA net loss of ($10.0) million to ($12.0) million compared to 2022 adjusted EBITDA net loss of ($7.8) million
  • Number of students and users between 5.7 million and 6.0 million, a 27% to 33% increase from 4.5 million students and users in 2022

Changes in the financial guidance are mainly driven by:

  • The exclusion of Entrepreneur Resorts Ltd financial performance due to the spin off
  • The delay of several new product launches, partnerships and acquisitions
  • Restructuring of business model of most recent acquisition
  • Significant increase in professional cost due to spin-off, investigation and audit

Other

The audit opinion of its audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, included in the Company’s Annual Form on 20F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 6, 2023, contained a going concern qualification. The Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2023 have been prepared on a going concern basis.

Webcast and Conference Call

Genius Group will host a live webcast to discuss the results Friday September 29 at 8:30 a.m. ET / 8:30 p.m. SGT. The webcast and supplemental information can be accessed on the investor relations section of the Genius Group website. An archive will be available after the conclusion of the live event and will remain available via the same link for 6 months.

Time: Friday, September 29, 2023, at 8:30 p.m. ET / 8:30 p.m. SGT

Webcast: Click on this link or go to the Investor Relations section of the Genius Group website to listen and view the slides.

Dial in: 877-407-0712 / +1 201 493 6716

About Genius Group

Genius Group is a leading entrepreneur Edtech and education group, with a mission to disrupt the current education model with a student-centered, life-long learning curriculum that prepares students with the leadership, entrepreneurial and life skills to succeed. Through its learning platform, GeniusU, the Genius Group has a member base of 5.4 million users in 200 countries, ranging from early age to 100.

For more information, please visit https://www.geniusgroup.net/.

Investor Notice

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks, uncertainties and forward-looking statements described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F, as amended for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on June 6, 2023 and August 3, 2023. If any of these risks were to occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations would likely suffer. In that event, the value of our securities could decline, and you could lose part or all of your investment. The risks and uncertainties we describe are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations. In addition, our past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance, and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results in the future. See "Forward-Looking Statements" below. 

Forward-Looking Statements 

Statements made in this press release include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “plan,” “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “continue,” or comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements are inherently subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties, many of which the Company cannot predict with accuracy and some of which the Company might not even anticipate and involve factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or suggested. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and are advised to consider the factors listed above together with the additional factors under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company's Annual Reports on Form 20-F, as may be supplemented or amended by the Company's Reports of a Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K. The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement forward-looking statements that become untrue because of subsequent events, new information or otherwise. 

GENIUS GROUP LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
(In US Dollars)

  As of June 30,  As of December 31, 
  2023   2022 
  (Unaudited)  (Audited) 
Assets        
Current Assets        
Cash and cash equivalents $2,624,432   $5,720,569 
Restricted cash  -    11,108,816 
Accounts receivable, net  3,843,414    4,856,637 
Other receivables  88,594    120,304 
Income tax receivable  130,957    - 
Due from related parties  252,060    351,357 
Inventories  1,171,728    1,001,977 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  1,238,196    1,090,787 
Total Current Assets  9,349,381    24,250,447 
Property and equipment, net  203,934    563,131 
Operating lease right-of-use asset  12,344,687    12,573,710 
Investments at fair value  44,413    29,071 
Other receivables  767,982    732,716 
Due from related parties  5,566,247    5,288,264 
Goodwill  31,677,406    31,688,887 
Intangible assets, net  15,421,531    16,107,293 
Other non-current assets  26,286    26,108 
Total Assets  75,401,867    91,259,627 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity        
Current Liabilities        
Accounts payable  2,224,294    1,672,306 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities  3,391,966    3,809,540 
Deferred revenue  5,050,855    6,391,993 
Operating lease liabilities – current portion  1,325,839    1,590,538 
Income tax payable  -    355,023 
Loans payable – current portion  330,108    334,391 
Loans payable – related parties – current portion  1,018,628    2,932,090 
Convertible debt obligations, current portion  3,773,790    5,752,328 
Short term debt  369,245    539,245 
Total Current Liabilities  17,484,725    23,377,454 
Due to related parties  1,812    1,729 
Operating lease liabilities – non-current portion  11,436,814    11,394,337 
Loans payable – non-current portion  412,121    428,025 
Convertible debt obligations, non-current portion  137,500    2,223,523 
Deferred tax liability  3,300,516    3,391,129 
Derivative liabilities  36,488,594    36,488,594 
Total Liabilities  69,262,082    77,304,791 
Commitments and Contingencies Stockholders’ Equity:        
Contributed capital  114,218,578    110,534,000 
Subscriptions receivable  (1,900,857 )  (1,900,857)
Reserves  (33,697,262 )  (32,933,714)
Accumulated deficit  (78,522,639 )  (68,539,210)
Capital and reserves attributable to owners of Genius Group Ltd  (97,820)   7,160,219 
Non controlling interest  6,041,965    6,794,617 
Total Stockholders’ Equity  6,139,785    13,954,836 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity  75,401,867    91,259,627 


GENIUS GROUP LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(In US Dollars)

  June 30,  June 30, 
  2023   2022
(Restated)
 
  (Unaudited)  (Unaudited) 
Revenue $11,795,714   $5,343,247  
Cost of revenue  (5,593,340 )  (3,112,654 )
Gross profit  6,202,374    2,230,593  
Operating (Expenses) Income        
General and administrative  (13,672,668 )  (5,249,054 )
Depreciation and amortization  (919,568 )  (178,807 )
Other operating income  1,213    166,001  
Legal expenses  (776,867)   -  
Loss from foreign currency transactions  2,425    58,759  
Total operating expenses  (15,365,465 )  (5,203,101 )
Loss from Operations  (9,163,091 )  (2,972,508 )
(Expense) Income        
Interest expense, net  (1,999,361 )  (99,298 )
Impairment loss  -    (480,372) 
Other expense  (5,227)   -  
Other income  68,311    30,713  
Total Other Expense  (1,936,277 )  (548,957 )
Loss Before Income Tax  (11,099,368 )  (3,521,465 )
Income Tax Benefit  324,666    24,238  
Net Loss  (10,774,702 )  (3,497,227 )
Other comprehensive income:        
Foreign currency translation  (599,818 )  (69,375 
Total Comprehensive Loss  (11,374,520 )  (3,566,602 )
Total Comprehensive Loss is attributable to:        
Owners of Genius Group Ltd  (10,746,977 )  (3,420,929 )
Non controlling interest  (627,543 )  (145,673 )
Total Comprehensive Loss  (11,374,520 )  (3,566,602 )
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding, basic and diluted  33,668,483    17,794,634  
Basic and diluted loss per share from continuing operations  (0.32 )  (0.20 )


 GENIUS GROUP LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In US Dollars)

  For the Six months Ended 
  June 30,
2023
  June 30,
2022
 
  (Unaudited)  (Unaudited) 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities        
Net loss $(10,774,701 ) $(3,497,227 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:        
Stock-based compensation  402,565    150,317  
Depreciation and amortization  1,208,772    835,757  
Provision for interest expense  1,277,162      
Provision for doubtful accounts  170,318      
Deferred income taxes      (29,679) 
Impairment loss      480,372  
Gain on foreign exchange transactions  (2,425 )  (58,759) 
Interest expense on lease liabilities  444,553    58,026  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:        
Accounts receivable  842,905    (480,438) 
Other receivable  (3,556)     
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  (147,408 )  (1,840,348) 
Inventory  (169,751)   (3,651) 
Accounts payable  551,988    430,633  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities  (417,574)   (609,406) 
Deferred revenue  (1,341,138)   82,841  
Deferred tax liability  (90,613)     
Income tax payable  (485,980)     
Other non-current asset  178      
Total adjustments  2,239,996    (984,335) 
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities  (8,534,705 )  (4,481,562 )
Cash Flows from Investing Activities        
Internally developed software  (322,419 )  (313,876 )
Purchase of equipment  (111,151 )  (79,455 )
Acquisitions  (2,299,231 )  (2,116,456 
Deposit on investment in UAV      (6,604,194) 
Purchase of investment  (20,000 )  (80,514) 
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities  (2,752,801 )  (9,194,496 )
Cash Flows from Financing Activities        
Amount due to/from related party, net  726,648    (338,280) 
Proceeds from IPO, net      18,060,447  
Proceeds from convertible debt, net of issuance costs  8,923,994    -  
Proceeds from equity issuances      2,605,215  
Issuance from convertible debt      (147,582) 
Lease liabilities  (639,096 )  (306,811 )
Repayment of loan  (170,000 )  (192,465 )
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities  8,841,547    19,680,524  
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash  (650,096 )  (212,817) 
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash  (3,096,137   5,791,649  
Cash – Beginning of year  5,720,569    1,784,938  
Cash – End of period  2,624,432    7,576,587  


Summary Combined Consolidated Financial Data

 Unaudited Financials Six Months Ended
(USD 000’s)
  Audited Financials
Year Ended
(USD 000’s)
Summary Income Data:June 30,
2023
  June 30,
2022
(Restated)
  December 31,
2022
  December 31,
2021
Sales11,796    5,343    18,194    8,295 
Cost of goods sold(5,593)   (3,112)   (9,555)   (5,537)
Gross profit 6,203    2,231    8,639    2,757 
Other Operating Income4    225    280    324 
Operating Expenses(15,639)   (5,428)   (50,502)   (7,250)
Operating Loss(9,162)   (2,972)   (41,583)   (4,168)
Other income68    31    419    - 
Other Expense(2,005)   (580)   (15,151)   (450)
Net Loss Before Tax(11,099)   (3,521)   (56,315)   (4,618)
Tax Expense325    24    1,064    129 
Net Loss After Tax(10,774)   (3,497)   (55,252)   (4,489)
Other Comprehensive Income(600)   (70)   (1,045)   230 
Total Loss(11,374)   (3,567)   (56,297)   (4,259)
Net income per share, basic and diluted(0.32)   (0.20)   (2.44)   (0.28)
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding, basic and diluted33,668,483    17,794,634    22,634,366    16,155,812 


  Unaudited Financials
Six Months Ended,
(USD 000’s)
  Audited Financials
Year Ended
(USD 000’s)
 
  June 30,
2023
  December 31,
2022
  December 31,
2021
 
Summary Balance Sheet Data:            
Total current assets  9,350   24,251   6,496 
Total non-current assets  66,052   67,009   11,099 
Total Assets  75,402   91,260   17,595 
Total current liabilities  17,486   23,378   7,140 
Total non-current liabilities  51,776   53,927   2,469 
Total Liabilities  69,262   77,305   9,609 
Total Shareholders’ Equity  6,140   13,955   7,986 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity  75,402   91,260   17,595 


Pro Forma Financials

To provide an accurate discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operation, the financial reports provided and discussed below are grouped in the following two sections:

Condensed financials for the Group including acquired companies results for acquisitions closed before June 30th 2023: Audited financials provided for the financial years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 and unaudited condensed financials provided for the six-month period ended June 30, 2023 and June 30, 2022.

Pro forma financials for Genius Group (The full Group including the Group and all Acquisitions YTD): Unaudited pro forma financials provided for the six-month period ended June 30, 2023 for the full Group, including all the acquired companies YTD as if they were operating as one during these periods and include additional two acquisitions: University of Antelope Valley (acquired July 2022) and Revealed Film (acquired October 2022) and excluding Entrepreneur Resorts Ltd as spin off entity

  Genius Group Unaudited
Pro forma
Six Months Ended
June 30, 2023
 
  Unaudited Financials  Entrepreneur Resorts  Acquisitions  Pro forma Financials 
  (USD 000’s)  (USD 000’s)  (USD 000’s)  (USD 000’s) 
Sales  11,796    (2,834)  -   8,962 
Cost of goods sold  (5,593)   963   -   (4,631)
Gross profit  6,203    (1,871)  -   4,331 
Other Operating Income  4    3   -   7 
Operating Expenses  (15,639)   1,613   -   (13,756)
Operating Loss from the continuing operations  (9,162)   255   -   (9,418)


  Genius Group Unaudited
Pro forma
Six Months Ended
June 30, 2023
 
  Unaudited Financials  Entrepreneur Resorts  Pro forma
Adjustment
  Pro forma Financials 
  (USD 000’s)  (USD 000’s)  (USD 000’s)  (USD 000’s) 
Summary Balance Sheet Data:                
Total current assets  9,350   3,229   -   12,580 
Total non-current assets  66,052   (946)  -   65,106 
Total Assets  75,402   2,283   -   77,686 
Total current liabilities  17,486   (2,527)  -   14,959 
Total non-current liabilities  51,776   (2,266)  -   49,511 
Total Liabilities  69,262   (4,793)  -   64,470 
Total Stockholders’ Equity  6,140   7,076   -   13,216 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity  75,402   2,283   -   77,686 


Non-IFRS Financial Measure

We have included Adjusted EBITDA because it is a key measure used by our management and board of directors to understand and evaluate our core operating performance and trends, to prepare and approve our annual budget and to develop short- and long-term operational plans. In particular, the exclusion of certain expenses in calculating Adjusted EBITDA can provide a useful measure for period-to-period comparisons of our core business.

We calculate Adjusted EBITDA as net profit / loss for the period plus income taxes and social contribution plus / minus finance revenue /expense result plus depreciation and amortization plus impairments plus revaluation adjustment of contingent liabilities plus share-based compensation expenses plus bad debt provision.

Derived from Financial Statements

  Genius Group
Unaudited Financials
Six Months Ended
(USD 000’s)
  Group
Audited Financials
Year Ended
(USD 000’s)
 
  June 30,
2023
  June 30,
2022
  December 31,
2022
  December 31,
2021
 
Net Income (Loss)  (10,775)    (3,497)   (55,252)  (4,489 
Tax Expense  (325)    (24)   (1,064)  129  
Interest Expense, net  1,999     99    1,312   450  
Depreciation and Amortization  1,209     836    2,351   1,575  
Impairments  0     480    28,246   0  
Revaluation adjustment of Contingent
Liabilities
  0     0    13,838   0  
Stock Based Compensation  403     150    1,309   294  
Bad Debt Provision  170     0    1,509   (39) 
Adjusted EBITDA  (7,318)    (1,956)   (7,750)  (2,338) 


Pro forma Financials

  Genius Group
Unaudited Pro forma
Six Months Ended June 30, 2023
 
  Unaudited Financials  Entrepreneur Resorts  Acquisitions  Pro forma Financials 
  (USD 000’s)  (USD 000’s)  (USD 000’s)  (USD 000’s) 
Net Loss  (10,775)  -    -   (10,775)
Tax Benefits  (325)  -    -   (325)
Interest Expense, net  1,999   -    -   1,999 
Depreciation and Amortization  1,209   (30)   -   1,179 
Impairment  -   -    -   - 
Revaluation Adjustment of Contingent Liabilities  -   -    -   - 
Stock Based Compensation  403       -   403 
Bad Debt Provision  170       -   170 
Adjusted EBITDA  (7,318)  (30)   -   (7,348)


Contacts

Investors:
Flora Hewitt, Vice President of Investor Relations and Mergers and Acquisitions
Email: investor@geniusgroup.net

Media Contacts: Adia PR
Email: gns@adiapr.co.uk

US Investors: 
Dave Gentry, RedChip Companies Inc
1-800-RED-CHIP
GNS@redchip.com