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Upwork Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2018 Financial Results

February 28, 2019
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  • Gross services volume (GSV) increased by 28% year-over-year to $1.76 billion for the full year
  • Revenue increased by 25% year-over-year to $253.4 million for the full year
  • Core clients grew 22%​ year-over-year to over 105,000 as of December 31, 2018
  • Client spend retention increased to 108% as of December 31, 2018, up from 99% a year ago

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Feb. 28, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --  Upwork Inc. (Nasdaq: UPWK), the largest freelancing website, as measured by GSV, today announced its fourth quarter and full year 2018 financial results.

“2018 was a landmark year for Upwork, as we became a publicly traded company, a major milestone not only for us but also for our industry,” said Stephane Kasriel, CEO of Upwork. “With macro-trends such as the skills shortages businesses are facing and the rise of remote work, plus our investments in product innovation, brand awareness and sales infrastructure, we remain emboldened by our long-term opportunity.”

Fourth Quarter 2018 Financial Results

  • Revenue​:  Total revenue increased by 23% to $67.3 million, and marketplace revenue increased by 24% to $59.7 million and represented 89% of total revenue for the fourth quarter.
  • Take Rate:​ Take rate, which we define as total revenue divided by GSV, was 14.3%, consistent with the third quarter of 2018 but down from 14.5% in the fourth quarter of 2017.
  • Gross Profit/Gross Margin: Gross profit increased by 25% to $46.5 million, and gross margin was 69%, up slightly from 68% in the fourth quarter of 2017.
  • Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Common Stockholders:​  Net loss was $(5.4) million, or $(0.05) per share, compared to a net loss of $(11.7) million, or $(0.35) per share, in the fourth quarter of 2017.  Non-GAAP net income was $2.7 million, or $0.03 per share, compared to a non-GAAP net loss of $(8.9) million, or $(0.27) per share, in the fourth quarter of 2017.
  • Adjusted EBITDA: Adjusted EBITDA was $3.6 million compared to $(1.9) million in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Full Year 2018 Financial Results

  • Revenue​:  Total revenue increased 25% to $253.4 million, and marketplace revenue increased by 26% to $223.8 million.
  • Take Rate:​  Take rate was 14.4% compared to 14.8% in the prior year.
  • Gross Profit/Gross Margin:  Gross profit increased by 25% to $171.9 million and gross margin was 68%, which was the same as the prior year.
  • Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Common Stockholders:​ Net loss was $(19.9) million, or $(0.38) per share, compared to a net loss of $(10.6) million, or $(0.32) per share, a year ago.  Non-GAAP net loss was $(600) thousand, or $(0.01) per share, compared to a non-GAAP net loss of $(900) thousand, or $(0.03) per share, in the prior year.
  • Adjusted EBITDA: Adjusted EBITDA was $3.8 million compared to $7.9 million in the prior year.

A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures has been provided at the end of this press release. An explanation of these measures is also included below under the heading “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

Guidance
As of February 28, 2019, Upwork is initiating revenue and adjusted EBITDA guidance for its first quarter and full year 2019 as follows:

For the first quarter of 2019, Upwork expects to report:

  • Revenue in the range of $68.0 million to $69.0 million
  • Adjusted EBITDA in the range of (2%) to (1%) of revenue

For the full year 2019, Upwork expects to report:

  • Revenue in the range of $298 million to $304 million
  • Adjusted EBITDA in the range of break-even to 1% of revenue

We have not reconciled our adjusted EBITDA guidance to GAAP net income (loss) because certain items that impact adjusted EBITDA, such as stock-based compensation expense, are uncertain or out of our control, or cannot be reasonably predicted. In particular, stock-based compensation expense is impacted by our future hiring and retention needs, as well as the future fair market value of our common stock, all of which is difficult to predict and subject to constant change, and none of which is within our control. The actual amount of these expenses during 2019 will have a significant impact on our future GAAP financial results. Accordingly, a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss) is not available without unreasonable effort.

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2018 Financial Results Conference Call and Webcast
Upwork will host a conference call today at 2 p.m. Pacific Time/5 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss the company’s fourth quarter and full year 2018 financial results. An audio webcast archive will be available following the live event for approximately one year at investors.upwork.com. The prepared remarks corresponding to the information reviewed on today’s conference call will also be available on our Investor Relations website, once the call has concluded.

Upwork uses its Investor Relations website (investors.upwork.com), its Twitter handle (twitter.com/Upwork), and Stephane Kasriel’s Twitter handle (twitter.com/skasriel) and LinkedIn profile (linkedin.com/in/kasriel) as a means of disseminating or providing notification of, among other things, news or announcements regarding its business or financial performance, investor events, press releases and earnings releases and as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD.

Safe Harbor Statement
This press release includes forward-looking statements, which are statements other than statements of historical facts, and statements in the future tense. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the future performance of Upwork and its market opportunity, including expected financial results for the first quarter of 2019 and full year 2019. Forward-looking statements are based upon various estimates and assumptions, as well as information known to Upwork as of the date of this press release, and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, actual results could differ materially or such uncertainties could cause adverse effects on our results, including: our ability to attract and retain a community of freelancers and clients; our limited operating history under our current platform and pricing model; if the market for freelancers and the services they offer develops more slowly than we expect; our ability to develop and release new products and services, and develop and release successful enhancements, features, and modifications to our existing products and services; changes in the amount and mix of services facilitated through our platform in a period; our ability to generate revenue from our marketplace offerings; the impact of new and existing laws and regulations; competition; our ability to develop, maintain, and enhance our brand and reputation cost-effectively; challenges to contractor classification or employment status of freelancers on our platform; the market for information technology; future changes to our pricing model; payment and fraud risks; security breaches; our ability to sell to large enterprise clients; privacy; litigation and related costs; and other general market, political, economic and business conditions. Actual results could differ materially from those predicted or implied, and reported results should not be considered as an indication of future performance.

Additional risks and uncertainties that could affect our financial results are included under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 8, 2018 and our other SEC filings, which are available on the Investor Relations page of our website at investors.upwork.com​ and on the SEC website at www.sec.gov​. Additional information will also be set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 when filed. All forward-looking statements contained herein are based on information available to us as of the date hereof and we do not assume any obligation to update these statements as a result of new information or future events.

Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements in this press release. These statements are based on information available to Upwork on the date hereof, and Upwork assumes no obligation to update such statements.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement our condensed consolidated financial statements, which are prepared in accordance with GAAP, we present non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP net income (loss), non-GAAP operating expenses and adjusted EBITDA in this press release. Our use of non-GAAP financial measures has limitations as an analytical tool, and these measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of financial results as reported under GAAP.

We use these non-GAAP financial measures in conjunction with financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP for planning purposes and as a measure of financial performance. These measures provide consistency and comparability with past financial performance, facilitate period-to-period comparisons of core operating results, and also facilitate comparisons with other peer companies, many of which use similar non-GAAP financial measures to supplement their GAAP results.  We exclude the following items from one or more of our non-GAAP financial measures:

  • Stock-based compensation expense: We exclude stock-based compensation expense, which is a non-cash expense, from certain of our non-GAAP financial measures because we believe that excluding this item provides meaningful supplemental information regarding operational performance. In particular, companies calculate stock-based compensation expense using a variety of valuation methodologies and subjective assumptions.
  • Depreciation and amortization: We exclude depreciation and amortization, which are non-cash expenses.
  • Change in fair value of redeemable preferred stock warrant liability: We exclude the change in fair value of redeemable preferred stock warrant liability, which is a non-cash charge that will not recur in the periods following the fourth quarter of 2018.
  • Change in fair value of our Tides Foundation common stock warrant:  We exclude the change in fair value of this common stock warrant, which is a non-cash expense included in general and administrative expenses.

Investors are cautioned that there are material limitations associated with the use of non-GAAP financial measures as an analytical tool. In particular, stock-based compensation expense, depreciation and amortization, and the change in fair value of our common stock warrant issued to the Tides Foundation are recurring and will be reflected in our financial results for the foreseeable future. The non-GAAP measures we use may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies, limiting their usefulness for comparison purposes. We compensate for these limitations by providing specific information regarding the GAAP items excluded from these non-GAAP financial measures.  A reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures has been provided in the financial statement tables included in this press release and investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation.

About Upwork
Upwork is the largest freelancing website, as measured by GSV, for businesses to find and work with highly-skilled freelancers—a sought after, critical, and expanding component of the global workforce. As an increasingly connected and independent workforce goes online, knowledge work—like software, shopping, and content before it—is shifting online as well. This shift is making it easier for clients to connect and work with talent in near real-time and is freeing professionals everywhere to work where and how they want. Upwork’s mission is to create economic opportunities so people have better lives. Upwork is headquartered in Mountain View, California, with offices in San Francisco and Chicago. For more information, visit Upwork’s website at www.upwork.com, or its Investor Relations website at investors.upwork.com, or join Upwork on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Upwork is a registered trademark of Upwork Inc. All other product and brand names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

UPWORK INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except for per share data)
(Unaudited)

 Three Months Ended
December 31,		 Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
 2018 2017 2018 2017
Revenue:       
Marketplace$59,652  $47,922  $223,831  $178,046 
Managed services7,690  6,837  29,523  24,506 
Total revenue67,342  54,759  253,354  202,552 
Cost of revenue20,880  17,596  81,458  65,443 
Gross profit46,462  37,163  171,896  137,109 
Operating expenses:       
Research and development14,808  13,085  55,488  45,604 
Sales and marketing17,909  15,717  72,963  53,044 
General and administrative15,234  11,919  49,336  37,334 
Provision for transaction losses1,209  1,393  5,821  4,250 
Total operating expenses49,160  42,114  183,608  140,232 
Loss from operations(2,698) (4,951) (11,712) (3,123)
Interest expense364  331  2,038  960 
Other (income) expense, net2,297  (13) 6,142  62 
Loss before income taxes(5,359) (5,269) (19,892) (4,145)
Income tax benefit (provision)(6) 78  (15) 22 
Net loss$(5,365) $(5,191) $(19,907) $(4,123)
Premium paid on repurchase of redeemable convertible preferred stock—  (6,506) —  (6,506)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders$(5,365) $(11,697) $(19,907) $(10,629)
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted$(0.05) $(0.35) $(0.38) $(0.32)
Weighted-average shares used to compute net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted103,362  33,492  52,328  32,945 
            


UPWORK INC
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

 As of December 31,
 2018 2017
ASSETS   
Current assets:   
Cash and cash equivalents$129,128  $21,595 
Funds held in escrow, including funds in transit98,186  87,195 
Trade and client receivables, net22,315  30,762 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets6,253  4,574 
Total current assets255,882  144,126 
Property and equipment, net10,815  3,514 
Goodwill118,219  118,219 
Intangible assets, net6,004  8,672 
Other assets, noncurrent653  658 
Total assets$391,573  $275,189 
    
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)   
Current liabilities:   
Accounts payable$2,073  $462 
Escrow funds payable98,186  87,195 
Debt, current5,671  10,342 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities20,948  16,030 
Deferred revenue722  614 
Total current liabilities127,600  114,643 
Debt, noncurrent18,239  23,491 
Other liabilities, noncurrent1,989  1,936 
Total liabilities147,828  140,070 
    
Redeemable convertible preferred stock—  166,486 
Stockholders’ equity (deficit):   
Common stock11  3 
Additional paid-in capital387,233  92,222 
Accumulated deficit(143,499) (123,592)
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)243,745  (31,367)
Total liabilities, redeemable convertible preferred stock, and stockholders’ equity (deficit)$391,573  $275,189 


UPWORK INC
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

 Three Months Ended
December 31,		 Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
 2018 2017 2018 2017
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:       
Net loss$(5,365) $(5,191) $(19,907) $(4,123)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:       
Provision for transaction losses498  1,393  5,110  4,250 
Depreciation and amortization1,407  1,051  4,949  4,186 
Amortization of debt issuance costs13  9  77  49 
Change in fair value of redeemable convertible preferred stock warrant liability2,446  77  6,056  118 
Change in fair value of Tides Foundation common stock warrant226  — 226  —
Stock-based compensation expense4,694  2,029  10,361  6,846 
Loss on disposal of fixed assets58  69  91  66 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:       
Trade and client receivables18,643  (1,621) 3,506  (8,860)
Prepaid expenses and other assets(634) (662) (1,292) (479)
Accounts payable(3,397) (588) 1,609  74 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities3,339  (13,981) 2,849  (6,148)
Deferred revenue6  (36) 109  20 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities21,934  (17,451) 13,744  (4,001)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:       
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash(350) 209  (444) 208 
Purchases of property and equipment(1,404) (321) (3,002) (1,830)
Internal-use software and platform development costs(1,169) (97) (3,839) (489)
Net cash used in investing activities(2,923) (209) (7,285) (2,111)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:       
Changes in funds held in escrow, including funds in transit9,292  (15,346) (10,991) (27,362)
Changes in escrow funds payable(9,292) 15,346  10,991  27,362 
Proceeds from exercises of stock options and common stock warrant1,149  1,053  8,160  2,547 
Proceeds from exercise of redeemable convertible preferred stock warrant—  —  —  260 
Repurchase of redeemable convertible preferred stock—  (19,208) —  (19,208)
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of RSUs(247) —  (247) — 
Proceeds from borrowings on debt—  19,000  15,000  34,000 
Payment of debt issuance costs—  (93) —  (177)
Repayment of debt(25,000) —  (25,000) (17,000)
Proceeds from the initial public offering, net of discounts and commissions109,381  —  109,381  — 
Payments of costs related to the initial public offering(2,221) (27) (6,220) (41)
Net cash provided by financing activities83,062  725  101,074  381 
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS102,073  (16,935) 107,533  (5,731)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period27,055  38,530  21,595  27,326 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period$129,128  $21,595  $129,128  $21,595 
                


UPWORK INC.
COST OF REVENUE AND GROSS MARGIN
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

 Three Months Ended
December 31,		 Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
 2018 2017 2018 2017
Cost of revenue$20,880  $17,596  $81,458  $65,443 
Components of cost of revenue:       
Costs of freelancer services to deliver managed services6,318  5,418  24,490  19,986 
Other components of cost of revenue14,562  12,178  56,968  45,457 
Total gross profit69% 68% 68% 68%


UPWORK INC
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP RESULTS
(In thousands, except for per share data)
(Unaudited)

 Three Months Ended
December 31,		 Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
 2018 2017 2018 2017
GAAP Net Loss$(5,365) $(5,191) $(19,907) $(4,123)
Add back (deduct):       
Stock-based compensation4,694  2,029  10,361  6,846 
Depreciation and amortization1,407  1,051  4,949  4,186 
Interest expense364  331  2,038  960 
Other (income) expense, net2,297  (13) 6,142  62 
Provision for (benefit from) income tax6  (78) 15  (22)
Change in fair value of Tides Foundation common stock warrant226  —  226  — 
Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA$3,629  $(1,871) $3,824  $7,909 
        
Cost of Revenue Reconciliation:       
Cost of revenue, GAAP$20,880  $17,596  $81,458  $65,443 
Stock-based compensation(118) (49) (282) (290)
Cost of revenue, Non-GAAP$20,762  $17,547  $81,176  $65,153 
% of revenue, Non-GAAP31% 32% 32% 32%
                
Gross Profit and Gross Margin Reconciliation:               
Gross profit, GAAP$46,462  $37,163  $171,896  $137,109 
Stock-based compensation118  49  282  290 
Gross margin, Non-GAAP$46,580  $37,212  $172,178  $137,399 
% of revenue, Non-GAAP69% 68% 68% 68%
                
Operating Expenses Reconciliation:               
Research and development, GAAP$14,808  $13,085  $55,488  $45,604 
Stock-based compensation(1,547) (526) (3,258) (1,797)
Research and development, Non-GAAP$13,261  $12,559  $52,230  $43,807 
% of revenue, Non-GAAP20% 23% 21% 22%
                
Sales and marketing, GAAP$17,909  $15,717  $72,963  $53,044 
Stock-based compensation(611) (332) (1,637) (1,299)
Sales and marketing, Non-GAAP$17,298  $15,385  $71,326  $51,745 
% of revenue, Non-GAAP26% 28% 28% 26%
                
General and administrative, GAAP$15,234  $11,919  $49,336  $37,334 
Stock-based compensation(2,418) (1,122) (5,184) (3,460)
Amortization of intangible assets(667) (667) (2,668) (2,727)
Change in fair value of common stock warrant(226) —  (226) — 
General and administrative, Non-GAAP$11,923  $10,130  $41,258  $31,147 
% of revenue, Non-GAAP18% 18% 16% 15%
                
Loss from Operations Reconciliation:               
Loss from operations, GAAP$(2,698) $(4,951) $(11,712) $(3,123)
Stock-based compensation4,694  2,029  10,361  6,846 
Amortization of intangible assets667  667  2,668  2,727 
Change in fair value of Tides Foundation common stock warrant226  —  226  — 
Income (loss) from operations, Non-GAAP$2,889  $(2,255) $1,543  $6,450 
% of revenue, Non-GAAP4% -4% 1% 3%
Net Loss Reconciliation:               
Net loss attributable to common stockholders, GAAP$(5,365) $(11,697) $(19,907) (10,629)
Stock-based compensation4,694  2,029  10,361  6,846 
Amortization of intangible assets667  667  2,668  2,727 
Change in fair value of Tides Foundation common stock warrant226  —  226  — 
Change in fair value of redeemable convertible preferred stock warrant liability2,446  77  6,056  118 
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders, Non-GAAP$2,668  $(8,924) $(596) $(938)
% of revenue, Non-GAAP4% -16% —% —%
        
Net Loss per Share Reconciliation:       
Weighted-average shares outstanding103,362  33,492  52,328  32,945 
Net loss per share, GAAP$(0.05) $(0.35) $(0.38) $(0.32)
Net income (loss) per share, Non-GAAP$0.03  $(0.27) $(0.01) $(0.03)

 

Contact Palmira Gerlach Investor Relations Investor@Upwork.com

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