Services

Upwork Files for IPO

designer491 / iStock

Upwork has filed an S-1 form with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for its initial public offering (IPO). No pricing details were given in the filing, although the offering is valued up to $100 million, but this number is usually just a placeholder. The company intends to list its shares on the Nasdaq under the symbol UPWK.

The underwriters for the offering are Citigroup, Jefferies, RBC Capital Markets, Stifel and JMP Securities.

This company operates the largest online global marketplace that enables businesses to find and work with highly-skilled freelancers as measured by gross services volume (GSV). Freelancers are an increasingly sought-after, critical and expanding segment of the global workforce.

In the 12 months ended June 2018, the platform enabled $1.56 billion of GSV across 2.0 million projects between roughly 375,000 freelancers and 475,000 clients in over 180 countries.

Upwork’s platform reduces inefficiencies associated with searching for, contracting and collaborating with, and paying highly-skilled freelancers for short-term and longer-term projects. As early innovators in this space, the firm has built an expansive and unique repository of data on our platform, which, when combined with its machine learning capabilities, enables it to better connect clients with the best freelancers for their projects. As a result, clients are able to obtain specialized talent in less time and at a lower cost compared to traditional channels.

In the filing, the company described its finances as follows:

For the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2018, our total revenue was $95.5 million and $121.9 million, respectively, representing a period-over-period growth rate of 28%. For the twelve months ended June 30, 2018, our total revenue was $228.9 million. In 2016 and 2017, our marketplace revenue was $138.5 million and $178.0 million, respectively, representing an annual growth rate of 29%.

The company intends to use the net proceeds from this offering primarily for working capital and other general corporate purposes.

Want to Retire Early? Start Here (Sponsor)

Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?

Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.

Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.

 

Have questions about retirement or personal finance? Email us at [email protected]!

By emailing your questions to 24/7 Wall St., you agree to have them published anonymously on a673b.bigscoots-temp.com.

By submitting your story, you understand and agree that we may use your story, or versions of it, in all media and platforms, including via third parties.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.