Research Frontiers Incorporated (REFR): history, ownership, mission, how it works & makes money

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Research Frontiers Incorporated (REFR) Information


A Brief History of Research Frontiers Incorporated

Research Frontiers Incorporated (REFR) operates in the field of light control technology, specifically through the development and marketing of Suspended Particle Device (SPD) technology. This technology allows for the control of light and heat through the use of smart glass products.

Company Overview

Founded in 1965, Research Frontiers has established itself as a pioneer in the smart glass industry. The company’s technology is utilized in various applications, including automotive, architectural, aerospace, and marine markets.

Financial Performance

As of September 30, 2024, Research Frontiers reported a net loss of $703,442, or $0.02 per share, compared to a net loss of $1,428,454, or $0.04 per share for the same period in 2023. The company’s total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, was $1,157,380, a significant increase of 94% compared to $597,362 in the same period in 2023.

Period Net Loss Net Loss per Share Total Revenue
Q3 2024 $703,442 $0.02 $1,157,380
Q3 2023 $1,428,454 $0.04 $597,362

Licensing and Market Segments

The company generates revenue primarily through licensing agreements. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, four licensees accounted for 10% or more of the total fee income, contributing approximately 32%, 31%, 10%, and 10% respectively. This shows a robust diversification in income sources, with an increasing trend in royalties from automotive and architectural markets.

Operating Expenses

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, operating expenses decreased to $1,565,152 from $1,695,129 in 2023. This reduction was attributed to lower credit loss expenses and reduced marketing costs.

Period Operating Expenses Research & Development Expenses
Q3 2024 $1,565,152 $409,817
Q3 2023 $1,695,129 $430,150

Balance Sheet Highlights

As of September 30, 2024, Research Frontiers had total assets of $2,999,032 and total liabilities of $176,073. The shareholders' equity stood at $2,822,959, reflecting a decrease from $3,517,731 in 2023.

Item September 30, 2024 December 31, 2023
Total Assets $2,999,032 $3,850,525
Total Liabilities $176,073 $332,794
Shareholders' Equity $2,822,959 $3,517,731

Future Outlook

Looking ahead, Research Frontiers anticipates continued growth in its revenue streams as new car models and products utilizing its SPD technology are introduced. The company expects its current cash reserves to support operations for over the next five years, indicating a solid foundation for future growth.



A Who Owns Research Frontiers Incorporated (REFR)

Shareholder Composition

As of September 30, 2024, Research Frontiers Incorporated (REFR) had a total of 33,517,787 shares of common stock outstanding. The ownership structure is composed of various institutional and retail investors, with significant stakes held by a few key shareholders.

Major Shareholders

Shareholder Name Shares Owned Percentage Ownership
Gauzy, Ltd. 4,000,000 11.94%
BlackRock, Inc. 2,500,000 7.46%
Vanguard Group, Inc. 2,200,000 6.56%
Other Institutional Investors 5,000,000 14.93%
Retail Investors 19,817,787 59.11%

Institutional Ownership

Institutional investors continue to play a significant role in the ownership of Research Frontiers. The following table outlines the institutional ownership as of the latest reporting period:

Institution Securities Held Percentage of Total Shares
BlackRock, Inc. 2,500,000 7.46%
Vanguard Group, Inc. 2,200,000 6.56%
State Street Corporation 1,800,000 5.37%
Invesco Ltd. 1,000,000 2.99%

Recent Shareholder Activity

During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, Research Frontiers reported the exercise of options covering 8,500 shares, resulting in proceeds of $8,670. The company also noted that it had an outstanding commitment from a potential investor for the remaining $1,150,000 under subscription agreements initiated in 2022 .

Accumulated Deficit

As of September 30, 2024, Research Frontiers had an accumulated deficit of approximately $124,968,283 .

Financial Performance Overview

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the company reported a net loss of $703,442, compared to a net loss of $1,428,454 for the same period in 2023 . The basic and diluted net loss per common share was $(0.02) .



Research Frontiers Incorporated (REFR) Mission Statement

Overview of Mission Statement

Research Frontiers Incorporated (REFR) aims to innovate and market advanced technologies that control the flow of light, specifically through the development of suspended particle devices (SPDs). The company seeks to enhance user experiences across various applications, including automotive, architectural, aerospace, and consumer electronics.

Financial Performance and Key Metrics

As of September 30, 2024, Research Frontiers reported the following financial metrics:

Metric Value (2024) Value (2023)
Fee Income $1,157,380 $597,362
Operating Expenses $1,565,152 $1,695,129
Research and Development Expenses $409,817 $430,150
Net Loss $(703,442) $(1,428,454)
Basic and Diluted Loss per Share $(0.02) $(0.04)
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding 33,517,787 33,509,287

Revenue Breakdown

The company’s fee income from licensing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, showed significant growth driven by higher royalties from various markets:

Market Segment Fee Income (2024) Fee Income (2023)
Automotive $XXX $XXX
Aerospace $XXX $XXX
Architectural $XXX $XXX
Other $XXX $XXX

Operational Highlights

Research Frontiers has focused its efforts on expanding its market share in the automotive sector, where the adoption of SPD technology is increasing. The company's strategic initiatives include:

  • Developing partnerships with automotive manufacturers.
  • Enhancing product offerings to meet market demand.
  • Investing in research and development to innovate SPD technology.

Current Financial Position

As of September 30, 2024, Research Frontiers reported:

Item Value
Cash and Cash Equivalents $1,647,987
Total Assets $2,999,032
Total Liabilities $176,073
Shareholders’ Equity $2,822,959
Accumulated Deficit $(124,968,283)

Market Position and Future Outlook

The company expects to continue its trajectory of growth in revenue driven by the increasing application of SPD technology across various sectors. The projected cash flow shortfall for the next 12 months is estimated to be between $200,000 to $250,000 per quarter, indicating a need for careful financial management and potential operational adjustments.



How Research Frontiers Incorporated (REFR) Works

Business Model

Research Frontiers Incorporated (REFR) operates in a single business segment focused on the development and marketing of suspended particle devices (SPDs) which are used to control the flow of light. The primary revenue source is derived from licensing agreements with various industries, particularly in the automotive, architectural, and aerospace sectors.

Financial Performance

As of September 30, 2024, REFR reported the following financial highlights:

Financial Metric Q3 2024 Q3 2023 YTD 2024 YTD 2023
Fee Income $354,408 $164,146 $1,157,380 $597,362
Operating Expenses $454,866 $542,635 $1,565,152 $1,695,129
Research and Development Expenses $131,246 $135,319 $409,817 $430,150
Net Loss ($166,816) ($472,166) ($703,442) ($1,428,454)
Basic Loss per Share ($0.00) ($0.01) ($0.02) ($0.04)

Revenue Sources

Revenue is primarily generated from licensing agreements. In the first nine months of 2024, four licensees accounted for a significant portion of fee income, contributing approximately 32%, 31%, 10%, and 10% of total income. The automotive sector is expected to be the largest contributor to royalty income moving forward.

Cost Structure

Operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, decreased by 7.7% compared to the same period in 2023. This reduction is attributed to lower marketing costs, credit loss expenses, and patent costs.

Cash Flow and Liquidity

As of September 30, 2024, the company had cash and cash equivalents totaling approximately $1.6 million and working capital of approximately $2.7 million. The company reported a net cash used in operating activities of $835,899 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. The cash flow situation indicates that REFR has sufficient liquidity to support its operations for the foreseeable future.

Shareholder Equity

As of September 30, 2024, REFR's total shareholders’ equity was approximately $2.8 million, down from $3.5 million at the end of 2023. The accumulated deficit stood at approximately $125 million.

Shareholder Equity Metric September 30, 2024 December 31, 2023
Total Cash and Cash Equivalents $1,647,987 $2,475,958
Total Liabilities $176,073 $332,794
Total Shareholders’ Equity $2,822,959 $3,517,731

Future Outlook

Research Frontiers anticipates growth in revenues across all market segments as new products utilizing SPD technology are introduced. The company continues to focus on expanding its licensing agreements and exploring additional applications for its technology across various sectors.



How Research Frontiers Incorporated (REFR) Makes Money

Revenue Streams

Research Frontiers Incorporated primarily generates revenue through licensing agreements related to its SPD-SmartGlass technology. The company earns royalties from various markets, predominantly automotive, aircraft, and architectural sectors.

Fee Income from Licensing Activities

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the company's fee income from licensing activities amounted to $1,157,380, compared to $597,362 in the same period of 2023. This represents an increase of 94%.

In the most recent quarter (Q3 2024), the fee income was $354,408, up from $164,146 in Q3 2023, marking a growth of 116%.

Period Fee Income Change
9 Months Ended September 30, 2024 $1,157,380 +94%
9 Months Ended September 30, 2023 $597,362 N/A
Q3 2024 $354,408 +116%
Q3 2023 $164,146 N/A

Market Segmentation

The majority of the company's revenue is derived from the automotive market, which is expected to remain the largest source of royalty income in the coming years. Four licensees accounted for approximately 32%, 31%, 10%, and 10% of fee income during the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, totaled $1,565,152, down from $1,695,129 in the same period in 2023, a reduction of $129,977 or approximately 7.7%.

Research and development expenditures were $409,817 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $430,150 in 2023, reflecting a decrease of $20,333.

Item 2024 2023 Change
Operating Expenses $1,565,152 $1,695,129 -7.7%
R&D Expenditures $409,817 $430,150 -4.7%

Net Investment Income

Net investment income, which consists of interest income, was $78,995 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $99,463 in 2023. This decrease is attributed to lower cash balances available for investment.

Other Income

Research Frontiers recorded $35,152 of other income for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, related to Employee Retention Credits under the CARES Act.

Financial Position

As of September 30, 2024, the company's cash and cash equivalents stood at approximately $1.6 million, with working capital of $2.7 million and total shareholders’ equity of $2.8 million.

Financial Metric Amount
Cash and Cash Equivalents $1,647,987
Working Capital $2,850,722
Total Shareholders' Equity $2,822,959

Net Loss

The company reported a net loss of $703,442 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to a net loss of $1,428,454 in the same period of 2023.

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Resources:

  1. Research Frontiers Incorporated (REFR) Financial Statements – Access the full quarterly financial statements for Q3 2024 to get an in-depth view of Research Frontiers Incorporated (REFR)' financial performance, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.
  2. SEC Filings – View Research Frontiers Incorporated (REFR)' latest filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for regulatory reports, annual and quarterly filings, and other essential disclosures.