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Ouster, Inc. (NYSE: OUST) is a global leader in high-resolution digital lidar sensors and software solutions, serving industries such as automotive, industrial, robotics, and smart infrastructure. The company designs and manufactures advanced 3D vision technologies, including scanning and solid-state digital lidar sensors, which enable safe operation and autonomy for vehicles, robots, and infrastructure. Ouster also offers perception software to enhance detection, classification, and tracking capabilities, providing innovative solutions for its target markets.
- Robotics - Develops lidar solutions that enhance navigation and operational capabilities for autonomous robots, contributing significantly to revenue growth.
- Automotive - Provides lidar sensors for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous vehicles, achieving record quarterly revenue in Q1 2024.
- Industrial - Supplies lidar technologies to support automation in manufacturing and logistics environments.
- Smart Infrastructure - Offers lidar-based solutions for real-time monitoring and analytics in urban environments, enabling safer and more efficient infrastructure management.
- Gemini Software - Enhances detection and tracking accuracy by creating seamless 3D views of object movement, with up to ten times more coverage than camera-based systems.
| Name | Position | External Roles | Short Bio | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Angus Pacala ExecutiveBoard | Co-Founder, CEO, and Director | None | Co-founded Ouster in June 2015. Previously Director of Engineering at Quanergy, Inc. and Battery Engineer at Amprius, Inc. Holds B.S. and M.S. in mechanical engineering from Stanford University. | View Report → |
Chen Geng Executive | Interim CFO | None | Joined Ouster in July 2021. Previously VP, Strategic Finance & Treasurer. Appointed Interim CFO effective January 31, 2025. | |
Darien Spencer Executive | COO | None | Joined Ouster in July 2017 as EVP of Global Operations, promoted to COO in February 2023. Played a critical role in scaling Ouster's operations. | |
Mark Frichtl Executive | Co-Founder and CTO | None | Co-founder and CTO since June 2015. Previously worked at Apple, Inc. and Quanergy, Inc. Holds B.S. in engineering physics and M.S. in mechanical engineering from Stanford University. | |
Megan Chung Executive | General Counsel and Secretary | None | Current General Counsel and Secretary. No specific start date or achievements detailed in documents. | |
Christina Correia Board | Director | None | Elected to the Board on November 4, 2024, and serves on the Audit Committee. | |
Ernest E. Maddock Board | Director | Director at Ultra Clean Holdings Inc., Avnet, and Teradyne | Board member since February 2023. Extensive background in finance and operations within high-tech businesses. | |
Stephen Skaggs Board | Director | None | Elected to the Board on November 4, 2024, and serves on the Compensation Committee. | |
Susan Heystee Board | Vice Chair of the Board | Director at revVana Inc. and ChargePoint, Inc. | Board member since September 2018. Held several key positions including Chair of the Board and Interim Chief Revenue Officer. | |
Theodore L. Tewksbury Board | Chair of the Board | Director at MaxLinear, Inc. | Joined Ouster's Board in February 2023, became Chair in April 2024. Extensive experience in technology and semiconductor industries. | |
Virginia Boulet Board | Director | Director at W&T Offshore, Inc. | Director since February 2023. Extensive experience in representing public and private technology companies. |
- Despite reporting a record revenue of $28 million in Q3 , sensor shipments declined sequentially for the second straight quarter ; can you explain the reasons behind this decline in sensor shipments and how it affects your outlook for future revenue growth?
- Operating expenses increased 11% sequentially due to higher litigation expenses of $4 million ; can you provide details on the nature of these litigation costs and their expected impact on your operating expenses and profitability going forward?
- You have set a long-term goal of achieving 30% to 50% annual revenue growth , yet your revenue guidance for Q4 is only $29 million to $31 million ; what specific strategies are you implementing to accelerate growth and meet this ambitious target?
- While you have reached your target gross margin of 35% to 40% in Q3 , there's mention of potential variability due to customer shipment schedules and product mix ; how confident are you in maintaining these margins, and what steps are you taking to mitigate risks that could cause fluctuations?
- With the development of your next-generation L4 and Chronos chips expected to unlock new verticals , can you provide more insight into the timeline for their commercialization and the anticipated contributions to revenue and profitability in the coming quarters?
Notable M&A activity and strategic investments in the past 3 years.
| Company | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
Velodyne Lidar, Inc. | 2023 | The merger was completed on February 10, 2023 through a two-step process whereby each Velodyne share converted into 0.8204 shares of Ouster common stock, resulting in roughly 50/50 ownership and about 193.9 million shares issued, with key strategic benefits including an enhanced product suite, broader customer base, reduced production costs, and improved financial positioning along with notable terms such as the Amazon warrant. |
Recent press releases and 8-K filings for OUST.
- Q1 2025 revenue reached approximately $33 million (≈$32.6M) with 26% YoY and 8% sequential growth, along with about 4,700 sensor shipments (up 6% YoY)
- GAAP gross margin increased to 41% (up from 29%), with Non-GAAP margin at 46% (up from 36%)
- Secured strategic multimillion-dollar deals across industrial, automotive, and smart infrastructure verticals, including a key deal with Komatsu and a record software-attached contract in Europe
- Maintained a strong balance sheet with $171 million in cash and no debt, complemented by a $1.5 million patent royalty contributing to margin strength
- Q1 2025 results reflected a net loss of $22 million and an Adjusted EBITDA loss of $8 million, highlighting ongoing investments
- Provided Q2 2025 revenue guidance between $32M and $35M
- Q4 Performance: Ouster generated $30 million in revenue with 44% gross margins and shipped approximately 4,800 sensors, marking its eighth consecutive quarter of revenue growth.
- Annual Financial Strength: For 2024, the company reported $111 million in revenue, a 33% year-over-year increase, with a full year gross margin of 36%.
- Robust Balance Sheet: Ouster ended the year with $175 million in cash and equivalents and maintained a zero-debt profile, bolstering its financial stability.
- Innovation Focus: The earnings call highlighted new product developments including a 3D zone monitoring firmware upgrade for industrial applications and the launch of the Gemini portal to streamline sensor deployments and spur future software revenue.
- Revenue reached $30M in Q4 2024, marking a 23% increase over Q4 2023, with both GAAP and non‑GAAP gross margins at 44%, demonstrating significant margin improvement.
- The company shipped over 4,800 sensors in Q4, contributing to a strong year where FY 2024 revenue climbed to $111M and cash balances stood at $175M with zero debt.
- Looking ahead, Q1 2025 revenue guidance is set between $30M and $32M, indicating continued growth momentum.
- Record quarterly revenue reached $30 million, up 23% year over year and 7% sequentially, with more than 4,800 sensors shipped in Q4 2024.
- GAAP gross margin improved to 44% in Q4 2024, nearly doubling the previous year’s margin, while full year revenue hit $111 million with significant sensor volume growth.