Life Is Hard (LIH), a company listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange’s AeRO market, continues in the first quarter of 2026 the implementation of the directions assumed for the current year, with the objective of building a more efficient, more predictable operating model, better positioned for the company’s next development cycle.
The financial performance of the first quarter reflects the transformation stage the company is undergoing. At the same time, LIH maintains its investments in technological infrastructure and in the development of its insurance ecosystem, considered the fundamental elements for consolidating the product model and for the group’s future growth and monetization.
Results at LIH Group level (indicative)
At an indicative consolidated level, LIH Group (Life Is Hard // More Life, Innobyte Solutions, Performia Finance, Barandi Solutions and LIH Ventures) recorded in Q1 2026 a turnover of RON 10.24 million (+RON 0.8 million vs Q1 2025) and EBITDA of RON 0.94 million (an improvement of +RON 1.35 million vs Q1 2025).
The evolution was supported mainly by Innobyte Solutions’ performance, the stability of recurring activities in Performia Finance and the continued strategic investments in Life Is Hard’s insurance ecosystem.
Results at Life Is Hard // More Life level
In Q1 2026, at LIH level, the company reports:
• Operating revenues: RON 7.50 million (98% of budget)
• Net turnover: RON 5.01 million (+7% above budget; -22.38% vs Q1 2025)
“Q1 2026 confirms that we are in the middle of a controlled transition process: we are simplifying the operating model and focusing resources on segments with real scaling potential, primarily insurance, complemented by IT&C and Skills+. The decline in turnover compared to the previous year is in line with the decision to eliminate unsustainable activities, and our priorities remain financial discipline and building a more predictable base for the next period. We are in an important period for the company’s transformation and I want to thank our teams, partners, investors and shareholders for their trust and support.” Cătălin Chiș, CEO LIH
Operational: Insurance, the foundation for mid- and long-term growth
The Insurance segment maintained a stable level of revenues (99% of budget). At product level, 24Broker generated RON 2.78 million (98% vs budget), reaffirming its role as a central infrastructure in the distribution ecosystem. And in March 2026, the company launched Boost24, a new application built to accelerate digital distribution, issuance and renewal processes, and to increase commercial efficiency in its relationship with broker partners.
The IT&C segment also recorded a good evolution, growing above expectations (+20% vs budget), confirming its value in supporting the transition towards a more efficient and more scalable model.
Investments and initiatives in Q1 2026
In Q1 2026, LIH allocated approximately RON 0.75 million for investments in the digital infrastructure dedicated to the insurance market: 24Broker, Core APIs, 24Consultant and Boost24, initiatives aimed at automating and increasing the efficiency of digital distribution for broker partners.
„Investments at the beginning of the year are part of the shift toward a simpler and more scalable model, in which the digital infrastructure for insurance becomes the engine of efficiency and growth. As the effects of the reorganization diminish, LIH’s objective remains stabilization and a gradual return to profitability.” George Anghelache, Chief Growth Officer LIH
Other operating revenues totaled RON 2.49 million, of which revenues related to the Skills+ program amounted to RON 1.41 million.
Profitability: Q1 includes transition effects and non-recurring costs
Quarterly profitability reflects the cumulative impact of operational reorganization and the transition to the new model:
• EBITDA: -RON 367k
• Operating result: -RON 977k
• Net result: -RON 992k (vs net profit of RON 237k in Q1 2025)
The variation is explained mainly by the non-recurring impact of reorganization costs and by changes in the structure of revenues/expenses, in the context of recalibrating the operating model. It is relevant that Q1 includes in full the costs related to the telecom activity, currently being phased out, while the reduction in depreciation expenses (as a result of the accounting adjustments made at the end of 2025) improves the cost structure and contributes to a gradual recovery in financial performance.
Outlook
The results from the first part of the year do not yet fully reflect the company’s long-term operating potential, and the period of change is estimated to influence the second quarter as well. The measures implemented in this stage are considered necessary for simplifying the operating structure and stabilizing the execution base ahead of the next growth cycle.
2026 will be a year of consolidating the foundations and strategic repositioning for the company, with priorities related to financial discipline, efficiency, and the development of products/services with higher margins and superior scalability.
At the same time, the evolution of the companies within LIH Group supports the strategic direction: Innobyte had a solid quarter, and Performia Finance continues consolidation on recurring services and a stable model.
More information about Q1 2026 results is available in the LIH report published here.
LIFE IS HARD is organizing on May 28, 2026, at 18:00, the meeting with investors, a virtual event to be broadcast live on LIH’s Facebook and LinkedIn channels and on Goldring’s Facebook page, an opportunity to put the most recent results into context.
