CMD Speech
I am thrilled to report that Infibeam Avenues has achieved remarkable
financial results during the fiscal year. Our total income has grown significantly,
reaching 31,711 million, up 62% YoY. Our profitability also surged, with EBITDA increasing
by 41% to 2,526 million and Profit After Tax (PAT) rising by 56% to 1,478 million.
Dear Shareholders,
I am honoured to write our annual shareholder letter as Chairman and MD
of Infibeam Avenues Ltd. For us, it's all about long term and we believe our
fundamental measure of success is the shareholder value we create in the long term. Our
decisions have consistently reflected this focus. Albert Einstein is sometimes credited
with describing compound interest as the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands
it, earns it. He who doesn't pays it. We think of product innovations in much the
same way. Constantly improving and optimizing our products for clients has a compounding
effect on our business prospects. We will continue to invest in our business that we are
in, and in new businesses that we have yet to launch as well as in finding opportunities
that we have not yet imagined!
It is my pleasure to present to you Infibeam Avenues' outstanding
financial achievements for FY 2023-24 and our optimistic outlook for the future. Our
commitment to innovation, strategic expansion, and robust financial management has driven
significant growth and positioned us for continued success.
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
HIGHLIGHTS:
I am thrilled to report that Infibeam Avenues has achieved remarkable
financial results during the fiscal year. Our total income has grown significantly,
reaching 31,711 million, up 62%
YoY. Our profitability also surged, with EBITDA increasing by 41% to
2,526 million and Profit After Tax (PAT) rising by 56% to 1,478 million.
One of the key drivers of our success, and a testament to our
commitment to your future returns, has been our unwavering commitment to innovation and
embracing emerging technologies. Through targeted investments in research and development,
we have created cutting-edge products and services that cater to the ever-evolving needs
of our merchants. These technological advancements have improved our offerings and enabled
us to gain a competitive advantage in the market, ensuring a promising future for Infibeam
Avenues.
Our expansion into new markets and strategic partnerships has also
played a pivotal role in our financial success. By exploring untapped opportunities and
partnering with like-minded organisations, we have broadened our reach and unlocked new
revenue streams. We strategically invested in Pirimid Technologies, enhancing our AI
capabilities and global IT services.
Moreover, our commitment to providing an unparalleled service
experience has increased merchant retention and led to more banks partnering with us. We
now have over 10 million merchants on our platform.
Our balance sheet remains robust and healthy, a testament to our
financial strength and our commitment to your long-term returns. We have maintained a
conservative approach to debt management and remain focused on generating positive cash
from
Vishal Mehta
Chairman & Managing Director operations and free cash flow. This
allows us to weather economic uncertainties and capitalise on growth opportunities when
they arise. Our prudent financial policies and philosophy to earn profitable revenue have
further strengthened our position as a reliable and trustworthy partner for all
stakeholders, ensuring the security of your investment in Infibeam Avenues.
THE STRONG FUTURE AHEAD:
Looking ahead, I am filled with great optimism and excitement. We are
standing at the cusp of a new era for Infibeam Avenues, where our dedication to continuous
improvement and innovation will propel us to even greater heights.
Our commitment to digital transformation remains unwavering. We
recognise that the future of business lies in harnessing the potential of technology to
deliver superior products and services. In this regard, we launched a revolutionary
omnichannel payment solution called CCAvenue TapPay, which can be downloaded on any
Android smartphone, converting a mobile phone into a Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal to
accept payments anytime, anywhere. This solution is the first in India to allow merchants
to accept payments using 200+ payment options and permits credit card transactions above
the
RBI limit of 5000 using a PIN.
Furthermore, we are actively exploring opportunities in adjacent
markets and potential mergers and acquisitions to bolster our growth trajectory. We
acquired UVIK Technologies to enhance our omnichannel payment solutions. Additionally, we
received final authorisation from the RBI for the Payment Aggregator License and the
perpetual Bharat Bill Pay System (BBPS) License, solidifying our regulatory standing.
In 2024, we made significant strides in artificial intelligence under
our brand Phronetic.ai, introducing THEIA, a revolutionary video AI platform poised to
redefine how businesses, institutions, and governments harness AI for increased
productivity and efficiency.
The business of Artificial Intelligence (AI) shall enable fraud
detection & prevention, market space with an initial focus on fintech & financial
sector building AI solutions for Fraud detection, Authentication and Risk identification
(FAR) to nurture AI ecosystem & develop solutions for the domestic and global market.
These AI based solution would be a "One-Stop Shop" to bring
AI and Machine Learning (ML) into the day-today activities as well as analyse data and
provide actionable winning fraud detection solutions for businesses, organizations and
governments to tackle rising threats to financial systems, businesses and national
interest.
AI plays a significant role in fraud management and improving
operational efficiency for organisations by helping them identify, prevent, detect, and
respond to fraudulent activities. By utilising AI and machine learning algorithms,
combining big data sources with real-time monitoring and utilizing adaptive and predictive
analytics techniques, it can detect patterns and anomalies that indicate fraudulent
activities, such as payment fraud, identity theft, or phishing attacks. These AI-based
solutions can continually adapt and learn from new fraud patterns and trends, continuously
improving their detection capabilities. Furthermore, video AI based systems can integrate
with security systems like CCTV data to provide more comprehensive approach to fraud
prevention and improvement of overall operational efficiency of organisations.
IN CONCLUSION:
As we reflect on our achievements and look forward to the future, I am
filled with immense pride and gratitude. Infibeam Avenues' strong financial
performance is a testament to our team's hard work, dedication, and collective
efforts.
With a clear vision, innovative strategies, and a shared commitment to
excellence, we are poised to navigate the challenges and seize the countless opportunities
that lie ahead. As we embark on this exciting journey together, I extend my heartfelt
appreciation to all our shareholders, employees, and Board of Directors for their
unwavering support.
We aim to strengthen our position as a leading global fintech company
by expanding our international footprint, particularly in high-potential markets such as
Saudi Arabia, Australia, and the USA. We are committed to leveraging our advanced AI
capabilities through our Phronetic.ai brand and the THEIA platform to offer
innovative solutions that enhance operational efficiency and productivity for our clients.
Our strategic investments and acquisitions will continue to play a
critical role in our growth. We will pursue opportunities that complement our core
business and enable us to offer comprehensive and cutting-edge solutions to our clients.
The integration of advanced technologies and expansion into new markets will drive our
growth and profitability.
We are also focused on increasing our net take rate' in the
payments business by enhancing our service offerings and expanding our presence in the
offline payments market through CCAvenue TapPay. Our goal is to achieve double-digit net
take rates from FY25 onwards, further solidifying our market leadership.
Sustainability and responsible business practices remain at the core of
our operations. We are committed to adopting environmentally responsible practices,
promoting social initiatives, and embedding ethical principles throughout our business. By
aligning our business practices with sustainable goals, we will contribute positively to
society while securing a sustainable future for Infibeam Avenues.
With a clear vision, innovative strategies, and a shared commitment to
excellence, we are poised to navigate the challenges and seize the countless opportunities
that lie ahead. The future is bright for Infibeam Avenues, and we are excited to build on
our successes and create a sustainable, prosperous, and inclusive future for all.
Sincerely, |
VISHAL MEHTA |
Chairman & Managing Director |