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Arab News
6 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Ethara champions sports innovation and investment with landmark pitch in Abu Dhabi
ABU DHABI: Ethara has launched its inaugural E1H Pitch, during which eight business founders presented their startup projects to investors at an event held at the Yas Conference Centre in Abu Dhabi. The management company, which organizes some of the region's biggest sporting events such as the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, UFC and the NBA games. The event brought together more than 100 key stakeholders from sport, entertainment, government, and investment sectors to witness the unveiling of the regional startups hoping to secure funding for their development. As the UAE's first dedicated sports ecosystem and incubator, the Ethara 1TW Innovation Hub (E1H) was established to accelerate innovation and entrepreneurship in the UAE and the wider region by providing startups with access to expertise, commerce and capital. The first E1H pitch was the culmination of a six-week program in which the eight early-stage ventures received strategic guidance and venture capital support to fast-track their development. The event opened with keynote addresses from Mike Shapiro, head of ventures at City Football Group, and Mohamed Berrada, partner at Portas. Their insights into global sports investment and the future of digital fan engagement highlighted the UAE's growing influence as a strategic base for sports tech and entertainment ventures. The session was hosted by sports broadcaster Chris McHardy. 'Innovation is at the heart of everything we do at Ethara,' said Saif Rashid Al-Noaimi, CEO of Ethara. 'That's why we created E1H with our partners at OneToWatch. We want to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs to build new ventures that add value not just to Ethara but to Abu Dhabi's global vision for sport and entertainment.' The eight presentations attracted immediate interest from investors and highlighted strong potential for UAE-based growth. Jamie Cunningham, founder of OneToWatch, added: 'The UAE is no longer just hosting world-class events it's now building the companies that will power them. E1H is unlocking entrepreneurial potential and connecting it directly to capital and opportunity. We're proud to partner with Ethara and Abu Dhabi to help shape the next generation of global sports and entertainment ventures.' E1H Cohort 1 startups ArabsMMA – Zahi Ephrem A marketer and martial artist, Zahi founded ArabsMMA, the first media platform dedicated to combat sports in the Middle East. Athlyn – Ahmed Cheikh Omar With 15-plus years' experience in the UAE sports and corporate sectors, Omar's platform bridges sport and corporate engagement. Esportian – Ivan Kerkoc A Spanish university professor and former NCAA recruiter, Kerkoc founded Esportian to merge traditional sports and esports education. Icosium Technologies – Billel Boudouma and Mohamed Ali This venture blends robotics, artificial intelligence, and human experience to deliver real-world micro-automation solutions. MyParkBuddy – Daniel Hachem Daniel aims to revolutionize urban mobility through smart parking solutions, drawing on his engineering and entrepreneurship expertise. Neoma – Francois Chabaudie With a background in private equity and consulting, Chabaudie created Neoma to improve human interactions through smart environments. The Mettleset – Dawn Barnable A seasoned communicator and endurance athlete, Dawn founded The Mettleset to tell meaningful stories through the lens of sport. E1H Venture Studio, Greenlight Abu Dhabi Branding (GADB) – Robert Angelieri An event operations expert, Robert drives innovation in sustainable events through branding, logistics, and venue strategy.
Entrepreneur
6 days ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Ethara Launches UAE's First Sports Entrepreneurship Incubator in Abu Dhabi; Eight Startups Unveiled
By bridging ideas with investors and corporations, E1H offers a fast-track for entrepreneurs looking to scale regionally and globally. You're reading Entrepreneur Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Ethara, an Abu Dhabi-based live events and venue management firm, has launched the inaugural Ethara 1TW Innovation Hub (E1H) Pitch- the UAE's first dedicated sports ecosystem and incubator. The launch event, which took place at the Yas Conference Centre on June 3, 2025, brought together more than 100 key stakeholders from sport, entertainment, government, and investment sectors to witness the unveiling of startups shaping the region's sports and entertainment economy. Image source: Ethara The E1H Pitch marked the culmination of a six-week program in which eight early-stage ventures received expert mentorship, strategic guidance, and venture capital support to fast-track their development. By providing startups with unique access to expertise, commerce, and capital, E1H thus aims to accelerate innovation and entrepreneurship in Abu Dhabi, the UAE, and the wider region. The event opened with keynote addresses from Mike Shapiro, Head of Ventures at City Football Group, and Mohamed Berrada, Partner at Portas. Their insights into global sports investment and the future of digital fan engagement highlighted the UAE's rising prominence as a strategic base for sports tech and entertainment ventures. The session was hosted by sports broadcaster Chris McHardy. Image source: Ethara "Innovation is at the heart of everything we do at Ethara- that's why we created E1H with our partners at OneToWatch [a sports investment advisory firm based in Abu Dhabi Global Market]," Saif Rashid Al Noaimi, Chief Executive Officer of Ethara, stated. "We want to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs to build new ventures that add value not just to Ethara but to Abu Dhabi's global vision for sport and entertainment." The event then highlighted how the eight founders from E1H's inaugural cohort address a wide spectrum of areas including technology, content, services, and sustainability. E1H Cohort 1 startups: • ArabsMMA founded by Zahi Ephrem: The first media platform dedicated to combat sports in the Middle East. • Athlyn founded by Ahmed Cheikh Omar: A platform that bridges sport and corporate engagement. • Esportian founded by Ivan Kerkoc: Merges traditional sports and esports education. • Icosium Technologies founded by Billel Boudouma and Mohamed Ali: This venture blends robotics, AI, and human experience to deliver real-world micro-automation solutions. • MyParkBuddy founded by Daniel Hachem: Aims to revolutionize urban mobility through smart parking solutions. • Neoma founded by Francois Chabaudie: Aims to improve human interactions through smart environments. • The Mettleset founded by Dawn Barnable: A platform to tell meaningful stories through the lens of sport. • E1H Venture Studio, Greenlight Abu Dhabi Branding (GADB) founded by Robert Angelieri: Drives innovation in sustainable events through branding, logistics, and venue strategy.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
OPCH Q1 Earnings Call: Revenue Growth Surpasses Expectations as Acute and Chronic Therapies Expand
Alternate site health provider Option Care Health (NASDAQ:OPCH) reported Q1 CY2025 results exceeding the market's revenue expectations , with sales up 16.3% year on year to $1.33 billion. The company's full-year revenue guidance of $5.5 billion at the midpoint came in 1.3% above analysts' estimates. Its non-GAAP profit of $0.40 per share was 20% above analysts' consensus estimates. Is now the time to buy OPCH? Find out in our full research report (it's free). Revenue: $1.33 billion vs analyst estimates of $1.26 billion (16.3% year-on-year growth, 6.1% beat) Adjusted EPS: $0.40 vs analyst estimates of $0.34 (20% beat) Adjusted EBITDA: $111.8 million vs analyst estimates of $102.8 million (8.4% margin, 8.8% beat) The company lifted its revenue guidance for the full year to $5.5 billion at the midpoint from $5.4 billion, a 1.9% increase Management slightly raised its full-year Adjusted EPS guidance to $1.66 at the midpoint EBITDA guidance for the full year is $462.5 million at the midpoint, in line with analyst expectations Operating Margin: 5.9%, in line with the same quarter last year Free Cash Flow was -$16.59 million compared to -$74.6 million in the same quarter last year Market Capitalization: $5.22 billion Option Care Health's first quarter results reflected broad-based growth across both acute and chronic therapy lines, with management citing improved IV bag supply, expanded infusion clinic capacity, and deeper payer partnerships as key drivers. CEO John Rademacher emphasized the company's ability to support complex patient needs through investments in technology, a national compounding pharmacy network, and the addition of dedicated care transition staff. He also noted that revenue growth was balanced, with acute therapies growing in the mid-teens and chronic therapies in the high teens year over year. Looking ahead, management's full-year outlook is shaped by ongoing investment in technology, further expansion of infusion clinic and nursing capabilities, and proactive risk management in response to potential policy changes such as new tariffs. CFO Mike Shapiro highlighted that guidance does not yet reflect any material impact from tariffs or policy shifts, citing current uncertainty. However, Rademacher noted that a cross-functional team is actively monitoring potential supply chain disruptions and cost increases, aiming for an agile response if needed. Option Care Health's management attributed first quarter outperformance to operational execution in both acute and chronic care segments, expanded clinical capacity, and efficiency gains from technology investments. The ability to serve a diverse patient portfolio and deepen relationships with payers underpinned the company's positive momentum. Acute therapy growth: Management reported mid-teens growth in acute therapies, driven by improved IV bag supply and investments in dedicated care transition specialists. This allowed the company to respond rapidly to patient discharges and win new referrals from hospitals. Chronic therapy momentum: High-teens growth in chronic therapies was supported by strong performance in rare, orphan, and limited distribution drugs. Management cited effective revenue cycle management and sustained patient census despite reimbursement changes as contributors. Clinic and chair expansion: The opening of new infusion clinics and additional compounding pharmacy facilities increased the company's capacity to meet patient demand. Over one-third of nursing visits now occur in company-operated centers, highlighting a shift toward alternate-site care. Technology-enabled efficiency: Investments in robotic process automation and AI, particularly in patient registration and revenue cycle processes, led to measurable improvements in cash collection velocity and operational productivity. The partnership with Palantir was highlighted as enabling faster patient onboarding. Payer partnership deepening: Management described more collaborative relationships with health plans, as payers seek to manage medical loss ratios and total cost of care. Option Care Health's national scale and local responsiveness were positioned as differentiators in supporting site-of-care initiatives. Management's outlook for the remainder of the year is centered on maintaining balanced growth across therapy types, increasing operational efficiency, and adapting to potential changes in the regulatory or reimbursement environment. Therapy mix and payer demand: Sustained growth in both acute and chronic therapies is expected, supported by payer-driven site-of-care initiatives and the company's ability to deliver lower-cost, high-quality care in non-hospital settings. Operational leverage and technology adoption: Continued investment in automation and AI is projected to drive further efficiency in revenue cycle management and patient onboarding, supporting margin stability even as volumes grow. Policy and supply chain risks: Management acknowledged that uncertainty around tariffs, reimbursement policy, and possible supply chain disruptions remains a risk. A dedicated team is monitoring developments, with the company prepared to adjust procurement and pricing strategies if needed. Lisa Gill (JPMorgan): Asked whether guidance conservatism reflected fundamental concerns beyond tariff uncertainty. Management said the cautious approach was due to seasonal volatility and the unpredictable impact of potential policy shifts. Pito Chickering (Deutsche Bank): Inquired about tariff pass-through mechanics and reference pricing lags. CFO Mike Shapiro explained that reimbursement typically tracks procurement costs over time, though there could be short-term mismatches. Constantine Davides (Citizens): Queried on evolving payer relationships and network design. CEO John Rademacher said Option Care Health is increasingly integral to payer site-of-care strategies, especially amid competitive retrenchment. Matt Larew (William Blair): Questioned the sustainability of acute therapy growth after recent market share gains. Management noted that while recent growth was elevated, long-term acute growth is expected to normalize as market dynamics stabilize. Joanna Gajuk (Bank of America): Sought clarity on the size and timing of STELARA headwinds and supply costs related to tariffs. Management confirmed the expected annual impact from STELARA and that medical supply costs exposed to tariffs are currently limited and manageable. In future quarters, the StockStory team will closely track (1) the durability of acute therapy growth as competitive dynamics evolve, (2) the impact of ongoing technology investments on revenue cycle and cost efficiency, and (3) the company's ability to mitigate policy and tariff risks as Washington debates new healthcare measures. Progress on integrating recent acquisitions and expanding clinic capacity will also be important markers of execution. Option Care Health currently trades at a forward P/E ratio of 19.3×. In the wake of earnings, is it a buy or sell? The answer lies in our free research report. Market indices reached historic highs following Donald Trump's presidential victory in November 2024, but the outlook for 2025 is clouded by new trade policies that could impact business confidence and growth. While this has caused many investors to adopt a "fearful" wait-and-see approach, we're leaning into our best ideas that can grow regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate. Take advantage of Mr. Market by checking out our Top 5 Growth Stocks for this month. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 176% over the last five years. Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-micro-cap company Tecnoglass (+1,754% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.
