Confluent (CFLT 2.22%), a leader in data-streaming technology, released its first-quarter results on May 7, reporting considerable growth in revenue and a significant narrowing of its losses.

Metric Q1 2024 Q1 2023 Change
Revenue $217 million $174 million 24.6%
Subscription revenue $207 million $161 million 28.9%
GAAP operating income ($111 million) ($166 million) N/A
Non-GAAP operating income ($3 million) ($40 million) N/A
Net cash used in operating activities ($26 million) ($78 million) N/A
Free cash flow ($32 million) ($83 million) N/A

Data sources: Company results from company.

About Confluent

Confluent, founded by the original creators of Apache Kafka, dominates the data streaming industry. Its platform enables real-time data processing and analytics, which is critical for digital transformations across all sectors. Recently, the company has focused on expanding its cloud-native and hybrid solutions, further fueling its growth trajectory.

Essential to Confluent's success is its versatile offering of cloud-native solutions and integration with Apache Kafka, providing customers with reliability, scalability, and security. This approach addresses a vast array of requirements, solidifying its market position.

First-quarter highlights

This quarter, Confluent reported significant achievements, including a 24.6% increase in total revenue, driven by a strong demand for its Confluent Cloud services. Subscription revenue, which forms the core of its business model, grew by 28.9%, indicating a growing customer base willing to commit long-term to Confluent's platform.

While it continued to book operating losses on both a GAAP and non-GAAP basis, it significantly reduced those losses as it increased its scale. Furthermore, Confluent has made substantial advancements in cash flow management, reducing net cash used in operating activities and improving free cash flow.

Looking forward

In the second quarter, Confluent expects total revenue of between $229 million and $230 million, and for the year, it projects revenue of around $957 million.

Investors should watch for updates on Confluent's progress toward profitability and how its strategic initiatives in cloud and data streaming technology continue to evolve. With a robust foundation and clear focus, Confluent looks poised for further success.