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FiscalNote (NYSE: NOTE) Q3 Results: Company Achieves Adjusted EBITDA Profitability Quicker Than Initially Forecasted

Benzinga

By Austin Denoce, Benzinga FiscalNote Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: NOTE), an AI-driven policy and global intelligence technology provider, announced its financial results for the third quarter of 2023. The company’s report showcased growth across multiple metrics. Below is a breakdown of key highlights from the report. Q3 Highlights Revenue The company reported a 17% year-over-year increase in revenue, reaching $34 million. This growth aligns with the guidance provided by the company, reflecting consistent performance in a competitive market Subscription revenue, constituting approximately 89% of FiscalNote's total revenue, witnessed a 15% increase compared to the same period last year. This growth highlights the strength of the company’s recurring revenue model, primarily driven by its advanced AI-enabled solutions in global policy and market intelligence. Earnings/Profitability The third quarter marked FiscalNote's first foray into Adjusted EBITDA profitability, quicker than its initial forecast of achieving Adjusted EBITDA profitability by the end of 2023. The company reported non-GAAP adjusted gross profit of $28.4 million, indicating an 83% non-GAAP adjusted gross margin. The company’s GAAP net loss for the quarter was at $14.5 million. Operational Metrics FiscalNote reported a 14% increase in run-rate revenue to $138 million and a 7% increase in organic run-rate revenue to $129 million. The company's Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) also rose by 14% year-on-year to $123 million, indicating a solid and expanding revenue base. Furthermore, Net Revenue Retention (NRR) was reported at approximately 100%, showcasing strong customer retention and satisfaction. Recent Business Highlights The third quarter also saw significant business achievements, including the launch of the FiscalNote Risk Connector, expansion in enterprise customer accounts, and enhancements to FiscalNote EUIT and FiscalNoteGPT platforms. These developments demonstrate FiscalNote's commitment to innovation and customer engagement. FiscalNote also announced the launch of its AI Co-Pilot Program, an innovative initiative designed to cement its leadership in AI applications for the legal and policy sectors. Special Committee Additionally, the company's Board of Directors initiated a Special Committee to evaluate potential transactions, including a proposal from CEO and Co-Founder Tim Hwang for a go-private transaction. Financial Outlook Looking ahead, FiscalNote projects continued growth. For Q4 2023, the company forecasts GAAP revenue between $34 million and $35 million, alongside an Adjusted EBITDA of approximately $2.5 million. The full-year outlook for 2023 anticipates a GAAP revenue of $132 million to $133 million and an adjusted EBITDA loss of around $8 million. Overall, these projections highlight FiscalNote's confidence in its growth trajectory and operational efficiency. The company's cash and cash equivalents, including short-term investments, totaled $24.4 million, with an additional debt capacity of approximately $94 million, reflecting a flexible financial position for the company. A New Chapter In Fiscal Intelligence FiscalNote’s Q3 2023 financial results illustrate a company at an inflection point. Having achieved early Adjusted EBITDA profitability, the company could be poised for faster future growth, backed by demand for its AI-enabled services and strategic initiatives. For investors, FiscalNote may present a blend of innovative AI applications and strategic corporate maneuvers – elements that could define its future in the high-stakes world of AI-driven technology and policy intelligence. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

November 22, 2023 09:15 AM Eastern Standard Time

Mercia Asset Management well-funded and seeing "growing opportunities to deploy capital"

Mercia Asset Management PLC

Mercia Asset Management PLC (AIM:MERC) CEO Dr Mark Payton speaks to Thomas Warner from Proactive after the specialist asset manager announced it has successfully disposed of its largest direct investment nDreams, a virtual reality studio specialising in developing and publishing VR games, in a profitable sale to diversified video gaming investment group Aonic. Dr Payton starts by giving a brief overview of the business, highlighting Mercia's primary focus on venture capital, which accounts for about half of its capital deployment. Mercia operate across the UK with 11 offices, supporting entrepreneurs and startups. He goes on to explain the background to the disposal of nDreams, noting that the transaction has allowed Mercia to realise a substantial return on its investment. Dr Payton emphasises Mercia's ongoing commitment to the growth of the UK's entrepreneurial ecosystem and their strong belief in the potential of their portfolio companies. Despite challenging economic conditions, Mercia remains active in identifying and seizing investment opportunities, with a focus on long-term growth and support for serial entrepreneurs. The interview concluded on a positive note, highlighting Mercia's role as a supportive investor in the UK's startup landscape, poised to continue backing ambitious entrepreneurs in their journey toward success. Contact Details Proactive UK Ltd +44 20 7989 0813 uk@proactiveinvestors.com

November 22, 2023 03:02 AM Eastern Standard Time

Video

CSGO Ranks - CSGO Ranking System Explained

AM Europe

The competitive mode of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) is the lifeblood of the game, offering players the greatest challenge to their abilities to reach the highest rank possible. The ranking system, which ranks groups players according to their performance and matchmaking results, is the central component of this competitive environment. We dive into the complexities of CS:GO ranks in this in-depth guide, explaining the meaning behind the badges and the path each player takes to climb the competitive ladder. CSGO ranks are a very popular subject in the community alongside CSGO Gambling which you can learn more about at washingtoncitypaper.com and Reddit - Best CSGO Gambling Sites Understanding the CSGO Rank System An indicator of a player's ability and competitive play experience in CS:GO is their rank. Players advance through the 18 tiers of ranks, each with a unique insignia, according to their performance in matches as well as their victories, losses, and overall standing. Starting from the Silver levels, the adventure advances through the Nova, Guardian, and Elite categories, finally reaching into Master Guardian, Legendary Eagle, Supreme, and much sought-after Global Elite positions. You can find the full ranks list below, which includes all 18: Silver I (S1) Silver 2 CSGO (S2) Silver III (S3) Silver IV (S4) Silver Elite (SE) Silver Elite Master (SEM) Gold Nova I (GN1) Gold Nova II (GN2) Gold Nova III (GN3) Gold Nova Master (GNM) Master Guardian I (MG1) Master Guardian II (MG2) Master Guardian Elite (MGE) Distinguished Master Guardian CSGO (DMG) Legendary Eagle (LE) Legendary Eagle Master (LEM CSGO) Supreme Master First Class (SMFC) Global Elite CSGO (GE) Silver For many players, the Silver levels signify the beginning of the game. Here, new players can practice their marksmanship, pick up the fundamentals of map control, and learn about laying bombs. Collaboration and communication are essential for success in the Silver ranks because individual talent might not be enough. Nova Players advance to the Nova tier, which demands a more sophisticated grasp of the game, after passing through the Silver tiers. Players from Nova begin to demonstrate a greater understanding of economic management, map knowledge, and the value of accurate aim. Players start to set themselves apart with their tactical skills as strategies get increasingly complex. Guardian The skill level increases significantly with the Guardian ranks. Here, players need to perform consistently on both a team and an individual basis. The need for tactical execution increases, and players have to adjust to different playstyles and tactics. Aspiring players must hone their abilities in the Guardian ranks as a testing ground in order to advance further. Elite Reaching the Elite levels is an indication of a player's commitment and growth. Players with great game sense, honed mechanics, and quick situational adaptation are found in the Elite levels. At this point, players begin to focus on particular team roles, demonstrating a greater comprehension of CS:GO's complex dynamics. Master Guardian The halfway point of the CS:GO ranking system is Master Guardian. A player's skill level has surpassed that of most other players when they reach this rank. Using grenades, being tactically savvy, and having a deep grasp of the game's economics become second nature. When they reach Master Guardian, players frequently start thinking about how they want to advance to the highest levels of competitive play. Legendary Eagle A player reaches the Legendary Eagle rank, which marks their ascent to the pinnacle of the CS:GO player hierarchy. Legendary Eagle can only be attained by players with exceptional individual skill, flawless collaboration, and a thorough comprehension of the game's meta. Legendary Eagles are frequently skilled at reading opponents' strategy, clutching, and entering fragging. Supreme Master First Class Only the best players who have grasped the complexities of CS:GO are eligible for Supreme Master First Class. These players have perfect game sense, nearly perfect marksmanship, and a deep comprehension of their opponent's tactics. At this level, matches are fierce and a never-ending struggle for domination. Global Elite Few people actually hold the title of Global Elite, which is the highest ranking in CS:GO. It takes remarkable talent, accuracy, and strategic thinking to become a Global Elite. Global Elites are frequently skilled in complex map control techniques and pixel-perfect grenade tosses, among other advanced mechanics. Challenges and Rewards There are obstacles to overcome when moving up the CS:GO ranks. Gamers frequently compete fiercely against opponents who have different playstyles and skill levels. The matchmaking algorithm used by the ranking system seeks to produce evenly matched matches so that players are sufficiently challenged to advance without feeling overpowered. Smurfing and Rank Discrepancies Smurfing is a problem with the CS:GO ranking system, where skilled players make many accounts to compete at lower levels. This may result in unbalanced games, aggravating encounters for players with lower ranks, and a false picture of actual skill levels. Although Valve has taken steps to stop smurfing, the problem still exists in certain areas. The Ever-Evolving System The dynamic nature of the game and its player base is reflected in the dynamic nature of CS:GO ranks. Valve adjusts and modifies the ranking system on a regular basis to maintain its relevancy and accuracy. These modifications could involve recalibrations, alterations to the rank distribution, or the addition of new ranks in order to account with the community's changing skill levels. Conclusion A player's climb through the ranks in the constantly changing CS:GO environment is evidence of their commitment, tenacity, and love for the game. Every level, from the lowly beginnings in the Silver ranks to the esteemed Global Elite, offers a different challenge as well as a chance to advance. In addition to providing as a gauge of talent, the CS:GO ranking system encourages rivalry and a sense of camaraderie among players, fostering a culture where players always aim to advance and achieve greater success in their virtual pursuits. The ranks will change as the game does, giving players who want to become experts at Counter-Strike: Global Offensive an endless path to success. Contact Details J Stewart admin@csgogamblingguide.com

November 22, 2023 02:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Chtrbox Awarded Best Influencer Marketing Agency of the Year by Entrepreneur India

QYOU Media

Contact Details Doug Barker +1 437-992-4814 shareholder@qyoutv.com Company Website https://www.valuethemarkets.com

November 21, 2023 04:11 PM Eastern Standard Time

Video

Raising Capital In A Thin Market, Industry Leader Shares His Insight

Benzinga

By Johnny Rice, Benzinga Corey B. Davis, Managing Director, Fintech Investment Banking at BMO Capital Markets Corp., was a panelist at Benzinga’s 9th Annual Fintech Deal Day & Awards. BMO Capital Markets is a leading, full-service financial services provider. It offers corporate and investment banking, treasury management and research and advisory services to clients worldwide. Mr. Davis spoke about the reality of raising capital in a tough macro environment. In today's market, a good valuation is 5 to 7 times revenues, which stands in stark contrast to a few years ago when 20 times was seen as reasonable. Watch the full panel here: Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

November 21, 2023 01:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

Video

Market Manipulation Is A Real Threat, This Software Helps Detect It So Action Can Be Taken

Benzinga

By Johnny Rice, Benzinga Melissa Watras, Director of Product for Trillium Surveyor, was interviewed at Benzinga’s 9th Annual Fintech Deal Day & Awards. Trillium is a technology company that provides software to financial institutions to detect market manipulation. The company’s software takes order data and processes it using proprietary algorithms that can detect irregularities. Ms. Watras spoke about the adaptability of her company's product and the usability that stands out in the industry. Watch the full panel here: Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

November 21, 2023 01:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

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This Company Is Changing The Way Ownership Is Seen In The Marketplace

Benzinga

By Johnny Rice, Benzinga Zach Hascoe, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer at Say Technologies LLC, was a panelist at Benzinga’s 9th Annual Fintech Deal Day & Awards. Say offers a technology platform for shareholder voting and engagement. The company says it is on a mission to transform the way shareholders and companies communicate, engage and interact. Mr. Hascoe spoke about the ways in which the relationship between shareholders and companies is ripe for disruption and transformation. Watch the full panel here: Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

November 21, 2023 01:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Sprott ETF Product Management Director Steven Schoffstall Explains Why Uranium Prices Are Soaring This Year And How Investors Can Trade The Rally

Benzinga

By Rachael Green, Benzinga As nuclear energy surges back into the limelight, promising a smoother transition away from fossil fuels, long-stagnant uranium markets have been booming. The once-obscure commodity is increasingly gaining the attention of investors looking for a new way to trade the clean energy transition. To learn more about uranium and what investors new to the space need to know, Benzinga sat down with the Director of ETF Product Management at Sprott Asset Management, Steven Schoffstall. Uranium prices have soared this year, outperforming other metals. Can you talk about why this is happening now and where you see uranium prices headed going forward? There are a couple of things that are at play here. Year-to-date through the last couple of days or so, [physical uranium] is up about 55%. Uranium tends to be much less sensitive to shorter-term economic noise. So when we see slow-down discussions about what's going on with the Chinese economy, that tends to affect other commodities more than what we see flow over into uranium. There is a really strong case for uranium and the future growth of the price as well as the sector going forward. If you were to look back at uranium prices about five or six years ago, they were somewhere around $20 a pound. Now, we're sitting closer to $74 or $75 per pound. The incentive price is really important to look at when we look at uranium. That is the price at which producers can produce uranium and still turn a profit. That's currently around the $75 to $80 range. That would suggest that, at least in the short term, there is some additional room for the price of uranium to move. When you look over the longer term, there is a severe supply-demand imbalance that we see developing. If you go out to 2040 or so, you see about a cumulative 1.5-billion-pound shortfall in the supply of uranium. So, we think over the longer term, that's going to be conducive to much higher prices in uranium. As demand for uranium increases, what is the outlook on the supply side? What should investors be watching here? I mentioned the longer-term supply shortfall that we're expecting. What it's really going to take to get us there is to get more mines up and running. There are a couple of things that really impact that. One would be the permitting process. To go from finding a mine or developing a site that hasn't previously been mined, it can take 10 to 15 years or longer. That's something that we would expect to see get shortened as we see governments start to sign on to nuclear energy and uranium as the answer to the energy transition. We have a number of mines that were set on care and maintenance because incentive prices weren’t quite there for them to remain operational. So we need to see some increases in the price of uranium to incentivize those companies to get those mines up and running again. The third leg of this stool is bringing the supply of uranium to Western countries. Kazatomprom, in Kazakhstan, is the world's largest producer of uranium. Given its proximity to Russia and the route in which it gets uranium to market, it would be great to diversify that part of the supply chain. We do see companies like Cameco, based out of Canada, with very substantial operations that are bringing a lot of uranium to market. But it’s not going to be smooth sailing. Cameco announced an expected uranium production shortfall relative to its guidance for the rest of this year, which has driven prices higher. Something that we see with any commodity is the potential for supply disruptions. Whether it's logistically, from a labor standpoint or from a permitting standpoint, we would need to see improvement in those areas in order for us to be able to limit the impact on prices as we see the supply and demand gap widening for the next one to two decades. For investors who are new to the space, what unique risks should they be aware of in the uranium market? The biggest one is probably geopolitical. The Russia-Ukraine war is ongoing and leading to energy security considerations. The coup in Niger, which produces about 5% of the world’s uranium could also impact supply. Thinking more from an equity risk profile, these names tend to be smaller cap names. In our uranium miners ETF (NYSE: URNM), the total market cap of the entire index is less than $40 billion. So, it’s a much smaller segment that starts to introduce those risks that investors might not necessarily see if they're investing in larger companies like those in the S&P 500. What are some upcoming catalysts and market movers in the uranium market you’re watching as we head into 2024? For us, it's really about the price action that we're seeing on the physical side. That's going to be driving how much more uranium is coming on to market. What the miners are able to produce profitably and how quickly they are able to get the mines up and running, that's something that we're seeing as a tailwind for the price of uranium. On the energy transition side, on a global scale, [uranium] is a metal that is being looked at more and more to provide the solution to the energy transition. The International Energy Agency recently came out with a new report projecting that fossil fuel usage, particularly oil and natural gas, may peak by about 2030. We will see somewhat of a dip over the next decade or two, but they will still be heavily used. At the same time, we will see a 76% increase in electricity demand on a global basis when you're looking at 2050 relative to 2021. Solar and wind have traditionally been the main ways of generating cleaner energy. But we are starting to see countries really warm up to the uranium story and nuclear energy. One piece that really demonstrates that is, if you look on a global scale, there are about 435 reactors that are currently up and running, mostly in the United States. But we're starting to see a lot of interest from Asia, particularly from China, in increasing their reliance on nuclear energy. Over the next decade or so, there are another 170 reactors that are either already under construction or planned for construction. That's about a 30% to 35% increase in nuclear reactors, which is also going to be driving the opportunity in the coming years. The uranium market can be a bit opaque and hard to access for retail investors. How can they best gain exposure to this market? We have three different ways to provide investors access to the uranium market. Our first option is the Sprott Physical Uranium Trust, a $4.5 billion fund that invests in and stores physical uranium. That's available [on the OTC market] in the United States under the ticker SRUUF. We also have the Sprott Uranium Miners ETF (NYSE: URNM). That's an all-cap exposure to uranium miners that also includes about a 15% to 17% allocation to physical uranium. Most recently, we launched the Sprott Junior Uranium Miners ETF (NASDAQ: URNJ) back in February of this year. That ETF is for those who want to access the smaller-cap names in the uranium universe. When we develop our strategies, whether it's uranium or broader energy transition funds, one thing we really focus on is pure-play companies that are upstream in the supply chain. In our view, the closer we can get to the source of bringing these critical minerals out of the ground, the better. It’s a potentially better investment opportunity because we're moving away from the downstream companies. If companies are involved in building the nuclear reactors or building components that are going to be used in nuclear reactors, there could be cost overruns and a lot of logistical issues and delays. Being upstream allows us to stay away from that because there is a certain baseline of uranium that is necessary to keep not only the reactors that we have now up and running but also to meet that future growth. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

November 21, 2023 09:25 AM Eastern Standard Time

Trust Stamp (NASDAQ: IDAI) Reports Q3 Results: Net Revenues Up, Net Loss Narrowed To $35,000

Benzinga

By Faith Ashmore, Benzinga As the digital landscape continues to evolve, there is an increased interest from consumers and agencies alike on how to maintain privacy and data protection so that users’ personal information is safeguarded at all times. AI has become a powerful tool that has the potential to increase security when used wisely and increase opportunities for hackers when used poorly. Among companies leveraging AI, Trust Stamp (NASDAQ: IDAI) is one that seems to stand out in its field as the company looks to revolutionize digital security. Trust Stamp is a global provider of AI-powered, privacy-first trust and identity services used across multiple sectors – such as banking and finance, real estate, communications, regulatory compliance and government. Trust Stamp offers a range of innovative services. The company reports that its biometric capture and analysis technology enables secure and convenient identity verification, allowing businesses to streamline onboarding processes. By integrating advanced document verification, Trust Stamp helps verify the authenticity of important documents, reducing the risk of fraud. Trust Stamp recently released its Q3 financial performance overview. The company reported growth in its net revenue during the third quarter of 2023 – net revenue increased to $3.07 million, marking growth of 127.35% compared to the net revenue of $1.35 million for the same period in 2022. The $3.07 million in net revenue for Q3 2023 was derived from various sources. The majority of this increase was due to the termination of the Master Services Agreement with IGS ("IGS Contract") on September 15, 2022. This termination not only resulted in $2.51 million in net revenue for Q3 2023 but also relieved the company from future contractual obligations for maintenance and upgrades. In addition, Trust Stamp generated $243,000 in net revenue from Mastercard, $186,000 from an S&P 500 bank, and $127,000 from other customers during the same period. Perhaps most notably, Trust Stamp's Orchestration Layer, a platform that enables seamless integration of Trust Stamp services, seems to have been successful in attracting new customers. During Q3 2023, the platform generated $139,000 in total revenue, including new revenue from seven new enterprise customers who were onboarded through FIS. The Orchestration Layer represents Trust Stamp's strategic shift from being solely a provider of custom solutions to offering a scalable SaaS model with low-code implementation. The growth in net revenue during Q3 2023 was offset to an extent by the termination of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement contract ("ICE Contract") on September 23, 2021. This contract contributed $844,000 in net revenue during Q3 2022 but was subsequently terminated during the 2022 fiscal year. Trust Stamp reported improvements in multiple metrics, particularly in its cost management and operating loss reduction. Trust Stamp effectively reduced its Cost of Services ("COS") by $290,000 or 54.76% in Q3 2023 compared to Q3 2022. Despite onboarding 29 new enterprise customers in 2023, Trust Stamp managed to lower its COS by $21 thousand, thanks to the inherent lower costs of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platforms like the Orchestration Layer. Research and Development expenses decreased by $173,000 or 22.19% in Q3 2023 compared to Q3 2022. Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses decreased by $1.23 million or 37.42% in Q3 2023 compared to Q3 2022. Trust Stamp also narrowed its operating loss, which decreased by $3.42 million or 99.36% in Q3 2023 compared to Q3 2022. The increase in net revenue by $1.72 million or 127.35% was mainly attributed to the recognition of nonrefundable license revenue from IGS. This is largely due to Trust Stamp's implementation of cost-cutting measures resulting in a $1.70 million reduction in operating expenses. These cost reductions exceeded the decrease in net revenue, leading to improved margins and greater operational efficiency for the company. Trust Stamp reported progress in improving its financial performance, including a reduction in net loss and an increase in liquidity. Trust Stamp's net loss decreased by $3.40 million to just $35 thousand in Q3 2023, compared to a net loss of $3.44 million in Q3 2022. This improvement reflects the company's efforts to streamline operations and cut costs. As of September 30, 2023, Trust Stamp had approximately $3.18 million in cash, a significant increase from $1.25 million as of December 31, 2022. This improvement was largely due to successful fundraising initiatives. Trust Stamp reported that its outlook for growth in the government sector seems positive, and the company is actively exploring potential partnerships and opportunities in this area. For example, the company has launched its new identity technology called Privtech™, with a strong focus on government applications. The Privtech solution recently received registered trademark status from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Privtech™ offers government agencies a privacy-first approach to identity verification and fraud prevention. It provides four levels of customizable privacy protection through the existing Privtech Certified® framework. This technology allows government entities to verify individuals' identities and safeguard against fraud while minimizing the amount of data collected. Trust Stamp's Privtech™ also ensures transparency in how the collected data is utilized. Trust Stamp is seemingly positioning itself as a crucial ally in the ongoing battle against fraud and identity-related issues, supporting a safer and more secure digital environment for all stakeholders. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

November 21, 2023 09:25 AM Eastern Standard Time

Entertainment

FiscalNote (NYSE: NOTE) Q3 Results: Company Achieves Adjusted EBITDA Profitability Quicker Than Initially Forecasted

Mercia Asset Management well-funded and seeing "growing opportunities to deploy capital"

CSGO Ranks - CSGO Ranking System Explained

Chtrbox Awarded Best Influencer Marketing Agency of the Year by Entrepreneur India

Raising Capital In A Thin Market, Industry Leader Shares His Insight

Market Manipulation Is A Real Threat, This Software Helps Detect It So Action Can Be Taken

This Company Is Changing The Way Ownership Is Seen In The Marketplace

Sprott ETF Product Management Director Steven Schoffstall Explains Why Uranium Prices Are Soaring This Year And How Investors Can Trade The Rally

Trust Stamp (NASDAQ: IDAI) Reports Q3 Results: Net Revenues Up, Net Loss Narrowed To $35,000