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    KSCP
    Earnings call· Jun 2026(Q2 FY26)

    Knightscope Q2 FY26 earnings call KSCP

    Aug 12, 2026 Source

    Executive summary

    Knightscope Q2 FY26 — Record Revenue and Strategic Integration

    Knightscope delivered a record-breaking Q2 FY26, driven by significant revenue growth and the successful integration of its Security Force acquisition, which also contributed to positive gross margins. The company is focused on leveraging its unique hardware, software, and human-agent model to address client needs in the security market, with ongoing product development and strategic M&A efforts aimed at long-term scale and profitability. Management reiterated its commitment to continuous quarterly improvement.

    Highlights

    5
    • Revenue reached a new quarterly record of $9 million, up more than 200% year-over-year from $2.7 million in Q2 2025.

    • Achieved second consecutive quarter of positive gross margin at 7% ($0.7 million), compared to a gross loss of $0.9 million in the prior year.

    • Successfully integrated the Security Force acquisition, contributing to revenue growth and margin expansion.

    • Reduced assembly time for one product line by almost 80% through efficiency improvements.

    • K7 autonomous security robot passed Alpha Prototype gate review, on track for initial deployments in Q4 2026.

    Concerns

    4
    • Net loss for the quarter was $14.1 million, an increase from $6.3 million in Q2 2025.

    • Net loss per share was $0.79, compared to $0.90 per share in the prior year period, despite higher revenue.

    • Operating expenses increased to $13.8 million from $5.4 million in Q2 2025, driven by R&D and headcount investments.

    • Approximately $1 million in other expenses related to the change in fair value of contingent consideration from the recent acquisition.

    Guidance & targets

    5
    CategoryTargetConfidence
    Quarterly Financial Performance
    Each quarter better than the last
    high materiality
    High
    K7 Autonomous Security Robot Deployments
    Initial deployments
    high materiality
    High
    Autonomous Security Force Launch
    Official launch
    high materiality
    High
    Signals Platform Launch
    Initial launch
    high materiality
    High
    Financial Performance (H2 FY26)
    Same thing you've seen in the last 2 quarters
    high materiality
    High

    Operational metrics

    20
    Revenue growth
    228%YoY
    Q2 FY26

    New quarterly record, driven by Security Force acquisition and core ASR subscriptions/ECD deployments.

    Revenue growth
    106%YoY
    Q1 FY26

    Second consecutive quarter of triple-digit growth.

    Gross margin
    7%vs gross loss of $0.9 million in prior year
    Q2 FY26

    Second consecutive quarter of positive gross margin, driven by Security Force acquisition and margin expansion across technology product lines.

    Operating expenses
    $13.8 millionvs $5.4 million in Q2 2025
    Q2 FY26

    Primarily driven by R&D investments, increased headcount, and Security Force integration.

    R&D expenses increase
    $3.9 millionYoY increase
    Q2 FY26

    Increase from last year, contributing to higher operating expenses.

    Other expenses
    $1 million
    Q2 FY26

    Related to the change in fair value of contingent consideration for the recent acquisition.

    Net loss
    $14.1 millionvs $6.3 million in Q2 2025
    Q2 FY26

    Primarily due to higher operating expenses and acquisition-related contingent consideration.

    Net loss per share
    $0.79vs $0.90 per share in Q2 2025
    Q2 FY26

    Despite higher net loss, per share loss improved due to share count changes.

    Cash and cash equivalents
    $8.2 millionflat to prior year
    Q2 FY26

    Ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents, with improving cash conversion cycle due to acquisition effects.

    Client count
    434
    Q2 FY26

    Growing client base across the US.

    Product assembly time reduction
    80%
    Q2 FY26

    Efficiency improvement achieved by the integrated team.

    Software gross margins
    67%-80%
    Long-term

    Potential gross margins for scaled software operations.

    Human guarding gross margins
    10%-20%
    Long-term

    Typical gross margins for traditional human guarding services.

    Blended ASF gross margin
    50%-65%
    5-year period

    Target gross margin for the integrated Autonomous Security Force model.

    False alerts
    90%
    Current

    Highlighting the problem of high false alerts in security systems that the ASF aims to improve.

    Startup failure rate
    95%
    Ongoing

    Context for potential M&A opportunities for technology assets.

    Guarding firms in US
    8,000
    Current

    Market size for potential roll-up M&A strategy.

    Top 5 clients annual security spend
    $850 million
    Annual

    Illustrates the significant opportunity for expansion within existing client base.

    Total client base annual security spend
    $3 billion to $6 billion
    Annual

    Estimated total addressable market within current client relationships.

    Total Addressable Market (TAM)
    $230 billion
    Current

    Indicates the large market opportunity for Knightscope's services.

    Industry KPIs

    1
    MetricValueDetails
    Churn retentionvery rarely to 0clients lost

    Product announcements

    3
    ProductTypeDetails
    H1 wearableroadmap
    K7 Autonomous Security Robotmilestone
    Signals platformlaunch

    Deals & partnerships

    2
    Security ForceAcquisition of a guarding firm, now known as Knightscope's Security Force.

    This was Knightscope's second acquisition as a public company. Integration is proceeding as planned, with collaboration on new products like the H1 wearable. The acquisition strengthens the company's managed service offering by combining hardware, software, and humans.

    Carnegie Mellon UniversityPartnership for autonomous patrol technology development.

    Knightscope announced a partnership with Carnegie Mellon University, a top robotics institution. Their graduate robotics program is now working directly on autonomous patrol technology under the guidance of Knightscope's engineering team.

    Risks & headwinds

    4
    Increased Operating ExpensesQ2 FY26

    Operating expenses were $13.8 million, up from $5.4 million in Q2 2025.

    Mitigation: Investments in R&D and headcount are expected to drive future growth and product development. The acquisition improved operating leverage by adding higher-margin revenue and leveraging existing infrastructure.

    Higher Net LossQ2 FY26

    Net loss for the quarter was $14.1 million, compared with $6.3 million in Q2 2025.

    Mitigation: The increase was primarily due to higher OpEx and $1 million in other expenses related to contingent consideration. Management expects benefits from the acquisition and new product development to strengthen the financial profile.

    Contingent Consideration ExpenseQ2 FY26

    Approximately $1 million in other expenses related to the change in fair value of the contingent consideration (earn-out) due to the seller of the recent acquisition.

    Mitigation: This is a non-recurring item related to the acquisition's earn-out structure. The acquisition itself is immediately accretive and contributes to margin expansion.

    Market Perception and Stock PriceOngoing

    Despite triple-digit growth and strategic advancements, the stock price has not yet reflected the company's progress.

    Mitigation: Management's strategy is to continue improving financial performance, grow the company, and communicate effectively. They believe the market will eventually recognize the value as numbers are consistently delivered.

    What to watch in Q3 FY26

    4

    K7 Autonomous Security Robot Deployments

    Q4 FY26
    CurrentPassed Alpha Prototype gate review, moving to Beta Prototype phase
    TargetInitial deployments in the field

    Why it matters

    Successful deployment of the K7 will validate new product development and expand the company's autonomous robot offerings, driving future revenue.

    The K7, our all-new autonomous security robot, passed its Alpha Prototype gate review, and we remain on track for initial deployments in the fourth quarter of 2026 as we move into the Beta Prototype phase.

    Q&A highlights

    5

    Why is the blended ASF contract more profitable per client than a stand-alone robot lease, and what are the unit economics?

    William Li explained that the ASF bundles humans and technology to solve client problems holistically, rather than optimizing for discrete items. While traditional guarding has 10%-20% gross margins and software can reach 67%-80%, the blended ASF model aims for 50%-65% gross margins over a 5-year period for long-standing clients. The focus is on deterring, detecting, responding, learning, and improving algorithms to provide effective outcomes, which ultimately drives profitability.

    The Jedi mind trick is to be able to land with what a Chief Security Officer would [Technical Difficulty] today, which are licensed armed and unarmed agents, and then over time, become that trusted adviser, hey, we've operated at your facility for quite some time now. I wouldn't really stretch the staff that way. You might want to consider based on the data that we have. You might want to shuffle some things around and add some technology, maybe pay the team more appropriately.

    asked by Apoorv Dwivedi · answered by William Li

    2 min read6 chapters

    Detailed Narrative

    01

    Record Revenue Growth and Margin Expansion

    Knightscope achieved record revenue of $9 million in Q2 FY26, marking a 228% year-over-year increase from $2.7 million in Q2 FY25. This follows a 106% YoY revenue growth in Q1 FY26, demonstrating two consecutive quarters of triple-digit growth. The company also reported its second consecutive quarter of positive gross margin at 7% ($0.7 million), a significant improvement from a gross loss of $0.9 million in the prior year, driven by the Security Force acquisition and efficiencies in technology product lines.

    02

    Strategic Acquisition and Integration

    The integration of the Security Force acquisition is proceeding as planned, with teams collaborating on new product development like the H1 wearable. This acquisition is the company's second as a public entity and has been immediately accretive, adding higher-margin revenue and leveraging existing operating infrastructure. Management emphasized that the acquisition strengthens Knightscope's differentiation through the unique combination of hardware, software, and humans delivered as a managed service.

    03

    Product Development and Innovation

    Significant progress was made on new product development, including the K7 autonomous security robot, which passed its Alpha Prototype gate review and is slated for initial deployments in Q4 FY26. The company also announced a partnership with Carnegie Mellon University for autonomous patrol technology. Work is underway on the 'Signals' platform, an industry-first software designed to orchestrate robots, stationary devices, sensors, augmented security agents, and remote monitoring with 3D digital twin technology and AI agents.

    04

    Brand Positioning and Market Strategy

    Knightscope is sharpening its positioning as a managed service provider, uniquely combining hardware, software, and humans to build the nation's first Autonomous Security Force. This message resonated with institutional investors and will be officially launched at GSX 2026 in September. The company aims to solve client problems by offering a holistic security solution, moving beyond selling discrete 'widgets' to focus on positive outcomes and improved quality.

    05

    M&A Strategy and Synergies

    The company's M&A strategy focuses on three buckets: bolt-on acquisitions for the Security Force, synergistic remote monitoring companies, and technology assets from failed startups. The Security Force acquisition brought significant financial synergies, including triple-digit revenue growth and cross-selling opportunities to 434 existing clients. Cultural integration is also a key synergy, blending the disciplined approach of the Security Force with the innovative spirit of Silicon Valley to create a more effective operating model.

    06

    Client Retention and Expansion Opportunities

    Client retention for the legacy Security Force client base has been strong, with very few client losses. Knightscope now serves 434 clients across 42 states. Management views existing clients as the 'easiest sale' and is focused on leveraging this base for expansion, estimating the total annual security spend of these clients to be between $3 billion and $6 billion. The strategy involves understanding specific client issues to offer tailored technology solutions and cross-sell services.

    AI-generated summary of the company’s earnings call. Not investment advice.