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iRobot Corporation, best known for its Roomba robotic vacuum cleaners, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Delaware. The move follows a restructuring support agreement with its key lender and manufacturing partner, Shenzhen Picea Robotics.
The company’s stock plunged over 82% in pre-market trading on December 15, 2025. Once valued at $3.56 billion in 2021, iRobot’s market cap has now fallen to around $140 million.

Full takeover plan: Picea to acquire 100% and erase debt
Under the restructuring agreement, Picea Robotics will acquire 100% equity in iRobot. In return, it will forgive debts totaling over $260 million, including:

🔹 $190 million from a 2023 loan

🔹 $74 million in unpaid manufacturing contract obligations
The bankruptcy process is expected to conclude by February 2026, according to court filings.

From tech innovator to insolvency
Founded in 1990 by three MIT roboticists, iRobot launched the Roomba in 2002, quickly becoming a leader in consumer robotics. However, increasing competition from Chinese firms like Ecovacs Robotics forced the company to cut prices and invest heavily in tech upgrades.
Adding to the pressure, a 46% tariff was imposed on imports from Vietnam—where iRobot manufactures its vacuums for the U.S. market—raising costs by $23 million in 2025 alone.

Business continuity plan
Despite the bankruptcy filing, the company announced that:

🔹 Operations will continue without disruption

🔹 The app, customer services, and global partnerships remain active

🔹 Supply chain relationships stay intact

🔹 Vendors and creditors will be fully repaid under the restructuring plan
iRobot currently has 274 employees and is headquartered in Bedford, Massachusetts.

Failed Amazon acquisition
Earlier, Amazon walked away from a $1.4 billion deal to acquire iRobot, after facing intense scrutiny from European antitrust regulators.

Market performance
In 2024, iRobot still managed to generate:

🔹 Around $682 million in revenue

🔹 A 42% market share in the U.S.

🔹 A dominant 65% share in Japan’s robotic vacuum market

Conclusion
iRobot’s downfall reflects how even pioneering tech companies can fall victim to global competition, trade tensions, and failed mergers. With Picea Robotics stepping in, the future of one of the most iconic names in smart home technology is now in Chinese hands.

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Qualys' Q3 2025 earnings beat and raised full-year guidance, driven by strong growth in its cloud-based security platform and AI-powered solutions.

Qualys' strong Q3 2025 earnings beat and raised full-year guidance may be a positive signal for investors, reinforcing the company's existing investment narrative. The company reported solid revenue growth, higher profitability, and robust cash flow, driven by strong channel partnerships, federal wins, and adoption of its Enterprise TruRisk Management (ETM) platform and new Agentic AI capabilities.
Qualys (QLYS) Q3 2025 financial highlights:
Revenue: $169.9 million, a 10.4% year-over-year increase, beating the consensus estimate of $166.3 million.
Non-GAAP EPS: $1.86, a 19.2% beat over analyst estimates of $1.56.
Adjusted EBITDA: $82.6 million, representing a 49% margin, up from 45% a year prior.
Free Cash Flow: $89.5 million, with a 53% margin.
Raised 2025 outlook:
Full-Year Revenue Guidance: Raised to a range of $665.8 million to $667.8 million, up from the previous range of $656.0 million to $662.0 million.
Full-Year Non-GAAP EPS Guidance: Increased to a range of $6.93 to $7.00 per share, from the prior range of $6.20 to $6.50.
Investment considerations:
Positive factors: The stronger-than-expected results and raised guidance demonstrate management's confidence and continued momentum in demand for Qualys' platform. The shift towards partner-led sales, adoption of new AI tools, and federal contract wins are positive drivers for future performance.
Negative factors: Competition in the cybersecurity market is intense, and Qualys still faces headwinds from customer budget scrutiny. Its customer acquisition cost payback period remains high, signaling a competitive market.
Changing investment narrative: The strong Q3 performance and outlook may strengthen the bullish case for Qualys, especially considering new institutional investment and easing short interest. However, factors like insider selling and competition mean the investment narrative is not without risk.
Ultimately, the stronger beat and raised outlook reinforce the company's platform story, but investors should weigh these positives against ongoing competitive and budget challenges.

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