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Upwork Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2018 Financial Results

February 28, 2019 4:04 PM

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

Full Year 2018 Financial Results

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.”

GuidanceAs 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:

For the full year 2019, Upwork expects to report:

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 WebcastUpwork 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 StatementThis 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:

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 UpworkUpwork 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 EndedDecember 31, Twelve Months EndedDecember 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 INCCONDENSED 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 INCCONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS(In thousands)(Unaudited)

Three Months EndedDecember 31, Twelve Months EndedDecember 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 EndedDecember 31, Twelve Months EndedDecember 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 INCRECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP RESULTS(In thousands, except for per share data)(Unaudited)

Three Months EndedDecember 31, Twelve Months EndedDecember 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
[email protected]

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Source: Upwork Inc.

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