Docebo Q1 2025 slides: ARR hits $225M amid strategic shift to AI-first learning

Published 09/05/2025, 13:08
Docebo Q1 2025 slides: ARR hits $225M amid strategic shift to AI-first learning

Introduction & Market Context

Docebo Inc (TSX:DCBO) (NASDAQ:DCBO) released its Q1 2025 investor presentation on May 9, 2025, highlighting the company’s financial performance and strategic direction as it continues its transformation into an AI-first learning platform. The presentation comes after a challenging period for the company, which saw its stock drop 16.1% following Q4 2024 results that missed revenue expectations despite a slight EPS beat.

The learning management system (LMS) provider positions itself within a substantial total addressable market of approximately $30 billion, split between Customer Experience ($18.5B) and Employee Experience ($11.5B) segments. Notably, the company identifies that about 70% of the Customer Experience segment represents "greenfield" opportunities.

As shown in the following market breakdown chart:

Quarterly Performance Highlights

Docebo reported Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) of $225 million as of March 31, 2025, with Q1 2025 subscription revenue growth of 13.1% year-over-year. The company maintained a healthy adjusted EBITDA margin of 15.6% for the quarter, matching its free cash flow margin.

The company’s key performance metrics are summarized in this overview:

Docebo has demonstrated consistent growth in its customer base, reaching 3,978 customers as of December 31, 2024. The company has also achieved approximately 4x growth in Average Contract Value (ACV) since 2017, indicating successful upmarket movement and enterprise penetration.

The following chart illustrates this consistent execution in customer acquisition and contract value growth:

The company has maintained a 100% Net Dollar Retention Rate in 2024, though this represents a decline from the 104% reported in previous periods according to the recent earnings call. Additionally, 93% of ARR added in 2024 came from customers who chose multi-year contracts, suggesting strong customer commitment despite recent challenges.

Strategic Initiatives & Market Positioning

Docebo is strategically positioning itself as an AI-first learning platform, building on years of AI investment. The company’s presentation emphasizes its transition from being primarily a Learning Management System (LMS) to becoming a comprehensive learning and knowledge platform powered by AI.

The company’s AI capabilities include:

A key differentiator for Docebo is its ability to serve both Customer Experience (CX) and Employee Experience (EX) learning needs under a single platform. Approximately 60% of customers use Docebo for CX or hybrid training use cases, with CX-related implementations driving approximately 65% of ARR.

The company’s platform versatility is illustrated here:

Docebo has established strategic partnerships with major consulting firms including Deloitte and Accenture (NYSE:ACN), as well as technology partnerships with AWS and other specialized learning technology providers. These partnerships are part of the company’s growth strategy, alongside expansion into enterprise clients, government sectors, and multi-use case implementations.

Customer Success & Case Studies

The presentation highlights several customer success stories, including Booking (NASDAQ:BKNG).com, which reported significant efficiency gains after implementing Docebo’s platform:

Additional case studies demonstrate the platform’s impact across various industries:

Docebo serves a diverse client base that includes prominent brands such as lululemon (NASDAQ:LULU), Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO), AWS, Zoom (NASDAQ:ZM), Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX), and General Electric (NYSE:GE). The company’s ARR is well-distributed across multiple industries, with Software (ETR:SOWGn) (19%), IT & Services (14%), and Manufacturing (14%) representing the largest segments.

This industry diversification is shown in the following breakdown:

Financial Trends & Growth Metrics

Docebo has demonstrated consistent revenue growth, with subscription revenue increasing from $10 million in 2016 to $220 million in 2024, representing a 36% CAGR over the 2020-2024 period. This growth trajectory is illustrated in the following chart:

The company has generated approximately $50 million in free cash flow since 2016 while growing ARR to $225 million, demonstrating capital-efficient growth:

Despite the positive long-term trend, Docebo’s recent stock performance has been challenging. Following its Q4 2024 earnings report, the stock dropped 16.1% to $31.32 in pre-market trading on February 28, 2025, primarily due to revenue missing forecasts ($54 million vs. expected $56.25 million). As of May 8, 2025, the stock closed at $32.03, down 2.17% for the day, and remains significantly below its 52-week high of $53.86.

Forward-Looking Statements

Looking ahead, Docebo outlines several pillars for future growth, including expansion into enterprise clients, focus on CX learning, entry into government verticals through FedRAMP certification, land-and-expand strategies, and strategic partnerships.

The company is targeting specific financial metrics for different operational areas:

  • Sales and Marketing: 28-32% of revenue
  • Research and Development: 16-18% of revenue
  • General and Administrative: 9-11% of revenue

Docebo aims to be a "healthy Rule of 40 company" with a growth-first mindset balanced with scaling free cash flow contribution. The company’s strong balance sheet positions it well for potential strategic acquisitions as part of its growth strategy.

The company’s industry recognition and awards lend credibility to its market position and product capabilities:

As Docebo continues its strategic shift toward becoming an AI-first learning platform, investors will be watching closely to see if the company can accelerate revenue growth and reverse the recent stock decline while maintaining its healthy margins and cash flow generation.

Full presentation:

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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