Upwork Reports Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results
Upwork (NASDAQ:UPWK) reported strong Q2 2025 financial results, achieving record revenue of $194.9 million, up 1% year-over-year. The company posted net income of $32.7 million, up 47% YoY, and adjusted EBITDA of $57.1 million, representing a 29.3% margin.
The company announced two strategic acquisitions: Bubty and Ascen, enhancing its enterprise offerings for contingent workforce solutions. AI-related work on the platform showed strong growth, with GSV from AI work accelerating to 30% YoY. The company's AI assistant, Uma�, saw 24% quarter-over-quarter adoption increase.
Based on strong performance, Upwork raised its FY2025 guidance to revenue of $765-775 million and adjusted EBITDA of $206-214 million. The company maintains 796,000 active clients with GSV per active client increasing 5% YoY to $5,002.
Upwork (NASDAQ:UPWK) ha riportato solidi risultati finanziari nel secondo trimestre del 2025, raggiungendo un fatturato record di 194,9 milioni di dollari, in crescita dell'1% rispetto all'anno precedente. L'azienda ha registrato un utile netto di 32,7 milioni di dollari, in aumento del 47% su base annua, e un EBITDA rettificato di 57,1 milioni di dollari, con un margine del 29,3%.
La società ha annunciato due acquisizioni strategiche: Bubty e Ascen, potenziando le sue offerte per soluzioni di forza lavoro contingente nel settore enterprise. Il lavoro correlato all'IA sulla piattaforma ha mostrato una forte crescita, con un GSV derivante da attività AI in accelerazione del 30% su base annua. L'assistente AI dell'azienda, Uma�, ha registrato un aumento del 24% nell'adozione trimestre su trimestre.
Grazie alle performance solide, Upwork ha rivisto al rialzo le previsioni per il 2025, stimando un fatturato tra 765 e 775 milioni di dollari e un EBITDA rettificato tra 206 e 214 milioni di dollari. La società conta 796.000 clienti attivi con un GSV per cliente attivo in crescita del 5% su base annua, raggiungendo 5.002 dollari.
Upwork (NASDAQ:UPWK) reportó sólidos resultados financieros en el segundo trimestre de 2025, alcanzando un ingreso récord de 194,9 millones de dólares, un aumento del 1% interanual. La compañía registró un ingreso neto de 32,7 millones de dólares, un crecimiento del 47% interanual, y un EBITDA ajustado de 57,1 millones de dólares, con un margen del 29,3%.
La empresa anunció dos adquisiciones estratégicas: Bubty y Ascen, fortaleciendo sus ofertas empresariales para soluciones de fuerza laboral contingente. El trabajo relacionado con IA en la plataforma mostró un fuerte crecimiento, con un GSV proveniente de trabajos de IA acelerándose un 30% interanual. El asistente de IA de la compañía, Uma�, experimentó un aumento del 24% en adopción trimestre a trimestre.
Basándose en este sólido desempeño, Upwork elevó su guía para todo el año 2025 a un ingreso de 765-775 millones de dólares y un EBITDA ajustado de 206-214 millones de dólares. La empresa mantiene 796,000 clientes activos con un GSV por cliente activo que crece un 5% interanual hasta 5,002 dólares.
Upwork (NASDAQ:UPWK)� 2025� 2분기 강력� 재무 실적� 발표하며 기록적인 1� 9,490� 달러 매출� 달성� 전년 대� 1% 증가했습니다. 회사� 3,270� 달러 순이�� 기록하며 전년 대� 47% 증가했고, 조정 EBITDA� 5,710� 달러� 29.3%� 마진� 나타냈습니다.
회사� � 건의 전략� 인수: Bubty왶 Ascen� 발표하며 임시 인력 솔루션을 위한 엔터프라이즈 제공� 강화했습니다. 플랫� � AI 관� 작업은 강한 성장� 보였으며, AI 작업에서 발생� GSV가 전년 대� 30% 가속화되었습니�. 회사� AI 어시스턴� Uma™는 분기� 채택률이 24% 증가했습니다.
강력� 실적� 바탕으로 Upwork� 2025 회계연도 가이던스를 매출 7� 6,500만~7� 7,500� 달러왶 조정 EBITDA 2� 600만~2� 1,400� 달러� 상향 조정했습니다. 회사� 79� 6� 명의 활성 고객� 유지하며 활성 고객� GSV가 전년 대� 5% 증가� 5,002달러� 기록했습니다.
Upwork (NASDAQ:UPWK) a publié de solides résultats financiers pour le deuxième trimestre 2025, atteignant un chiffre d'affaires record de 194,9 millions de dollars, en hausse de 1 % par rapport à l'année précédente. La société a affiché un bénéfice net de 32,7 millions de dollars, en hausse de 47 % sur un an, et un EBITDA ajusté de 57,1 millions de dollars, représentant une marge de 29,3 %.
L'entreprise a annoncé deux acquisitions stratégiques : Bubty et Ascen, renforçant ses offres pour les solutions de main-d'œuvre contingente en entreprise. Le travail lié à l'IA sur la plateforme a connu une forte croissance, avec un GSV provenant des travaux en IA accélérant de 30 % sur un an. L'assistant IA de la société, Uma�, a vu une augmentation de 24 % de son adoption d'un trimestre à l'autre.
Sur la base de ces performances solides, Upwork a relevé ses prévisions pour l'exercice 2025 à un chiffre d'affaires de 765 à 775 millions de dollars et un EBITDA ajusté de 206 à 214 millions de dollars. La société compte 796 000 clients actifs avec un GSV par client actif en hausse de 5 % sur un an, atteignant 5 002 dollars.
Upwork (NASDAQ:UPWK) meldete starke Finanzergebnisse für das zweite Quartal 2025 und erzielte einen Rekordumsatz von 194,9 Millionen US-Dollar, was einem Anstieg von 1 % im Jahresvergleich entspricht. Das Unternehmen verzeichnete einen Nettoertrag von 32,7 Millionen US-Dollar, ein Plus von 47 % gegenüber dem Vorjahr, sowie ein bereinigtes EBITDA von 57,1 Millionen US-Dollar, was einer Marge von 29,3 % entspricht.
Das Unternehmen gab zwei strategische Übernahmen bekannt: Bubty und Ascen, die das Angebot für Lösungen im Bereich der temporären Arbeitskräfte im Unternehmenssegment erweitern. Die KI-bezogenen Arbeiten auf der Plattform zeigten starkes Wachstum, mit einem GSV aus KI-Arbeiten, das um 30 % im Jahresvergleich beschleunigte. Der KI-Assistent Uma� des Unternehmens verzeichnete eine 24 %ige Zunahme der Quartalsadoption.
Aufgrund der starken Leistung erhöhte Upwork seine Prognose für das Geschäftsjahr 2025 auf einen Umsatz von 765 bis 775 Millionen US-Dollar und ein bereinigtes EBITDA von 206 bis 214 Millionen US-Dollar. Das Unternehmen hat 796.000 aktive Kunden und der GSV pro aktivem Kunden stieg im Jahresvergleich um 5 % auf 5.002 US-Dollar.
- Net income increased 47% year-over-year to $32.7 million
- Record adjusted EBITDA margin of 29.3%, up from 21% year ago
- AI-related work GSV grew 30% year-over-year
- Strategic acquisitions of Bubty and Ascen enhance enterprise offerings
- Free cash flow increased 85% year-over-year to $65.6 million
- Raised full-year 2025 revenue and adjusted EBITDA guidance
- GSV per active client increased 5% year-over-year to $5,002
- Total revenue growth slowed to 1% year-over-year
- Active clients decreased 8% year-over-year to 796,000
- Enterprise revenue declined 8% year-over-year to $24.3 million
- GSV (Gross Services Value) decreased 0.6% year-over-year
Insights
Upwork delivers robust Q2 results with record profitability and strategic acquisitions, despite slowing user growth.
Upwork's Q2 2025 results demonstrate impressive profitability improvements despite modest top-line growth. Revenue reached
The company's profitability metrics are particularly noteworthy. Profit margin expanded to
The financial performance reflects Upwork's strategic shift toward higher-value work and enterprise solutions. While active clients declined
Revenue growth is being driven by multiple sources: Marketplace revenue grew
The acquisition of Bubty and pending acquisition of Ascen represent a strategic expansion into the enterprise contingent workforce market, allowing Upwork to offer a full range of solutions beyond its traditional freelancer marketplace. Management positions this as targeting a
Looking ahead, management raised full-year guidance to
Upwork's AI integration is transforming its business model, driving higher-value projects and improved matching efficiency.
Upwork's Q2 results reveal a company in the midst of an AI-powered transformation that's fundamentally changing how the platform operates. The company is executing a dual AI strategy: integrating AI tools to enhance platform functionality while simultaneously becoming a leading marketplace for AI-related work.
The platform's AI assistant Uma� is evolving from a simple helper to an autonomous "AI work agent" that takes action on behalf of customers. Recent updates include instant interviews, reimagined job posting, and AI-powered search - all designed to accelerate the hiring process. User adoption of Uma� increased
The business impact of these AI enhancements is tangible. Improved search and match capabilities driven by AI have increased average spend per contract by
Beyond platform enhancement, Upwork is capitalizing on surging demand for AI talent. GSV from AI-related work accelerated to
Internally, Upwork is leveraging AI to transform its operations. The company reported that AI now contributes to over
The strategic acquisitions of Bubty and Ascen align with this AI-powered future, positioning Upwork to capture enterprise clients seeking integrated, digitally-native contingent workforce solutions that can access the platform's talent pool, which includes over 250,000 AI experts globally.
Achieves record second quarter with revenue of
Generates GAAP net income of
Raises FY2025 revenue and adjusted EBITDA guidance
Acquires Bubty and agrees to acquire Ascen to serve large clients with full range of contingent workforce and staffing solutions, positioning Upwork to capitalize on
PALO ALTO, Calif., Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (Nasdaq: UPWK), the world’s largest human and AI-powered work marketplace, today announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2025.
“Upwork delivered an exceptional second quarter, significantly outperforming across all key financial metrics. Our strong Marketplace performance was driven by AI features that delivered tremendous value to our full range of customers, from SMBs to large enterprises to talent,� said Hayden Brown, president and CEO, Upwork. “With our two announced acquisitions, we have enhanced our full-stack offering giving enterprise clients access to a complete array of contingent workforce solutions fueled by Upwork’s deep global talent pool. We’re harnessing these strategic levers to continue to lead the industry in this human and AI-powered era of work.�
“Our record revenue of
Second Quarter 2025 Financial Highlights
- Revenue grew
1% year-over-year to$194.9 million - Active clients(2) of 796,000
- GSV per active client(2) of
$5,002 increased5% year-over-year and average hours per contract in Q2 were the highest ever, as projects on the platform increase in size and complexity - Net income was
$32.7 million , up47% year-over-year - Diluted earnings per share was
$0.24 , compared to diluted earnings per share of$0.17 in the second quarter of 2024 - Adjusted EBITDA(3) was
$57.1 million , up40% year-over-year - Cash provided by operating activities(4) was
$72.5 million , compared to cash provided by operating activities of$39.2 million in the second quarter of 2024 - Free cash flow(3)(4) was
$65.6 million , compared to free cash flow of$35.5 million in the second quarter of 2024
Second Quarter Operational Highlights
Building the World’s Human and AI-Powered Work Marketplace
- , announced July 23, included major advancements to Uma�, Upwork’s Mindful AI. As an AI work agent, Uma� now takes action on behalf of customers, accelerating hiring, collaboration, and work outcomes through new features like instant interviews, a reimagined job posting experience, Upwork Video Meetings, and Uma�-powered search.
- Uma� adoption increased
24% quarter-over-quarter and recent feature launches are increasing value delivered to customers as well as spend:- Improved search and match capabilities drove GSV and revenue outperformance, lifting average spend per contract by
4% and increasing Connects revenue by3% compared to prior feature set. - Uma� Proposal Writer improvements led to a
58% increase in freelancers utilizing Uma� to submit a proposal compared to the baseline experience.
- Improved search and match capabilities drove GSV and revenue outperformance, lifting average spend per contract by
Growing AI Work on the Marketplace
- GSV from AI-related work accelerated to
30% year-over-year growth in Q2 2025, compared to25% year-over-year growth in Q1 2025. - Clients are turning to Upwork to hire AI specialists across 365+ different skills, including AI Agents, AI Model Tuning & Integration, and Natural Language Processing. GSV in Prompt Engineering subcategory grew
51% year-over-year. - Average GSV per active client engaged in AI work is more than 3x larger than average GSV per active client across the Marketplace.
Unlocking the Enterprise Opportunity
- Announced acquisition of Bubty and agreement to acquire Ascen through Upwork’s new wholly-owned Enterprise subsidiary, enhancing offering of full-stack, end-to-end contingent work solutions for large enterprises:
- Bubty is a purpose-built platform to help enterprises manage a broad range of contingent workforce models and contract types, from independent contractors to contingent W-2 workers.
- Ascen is a digitally native solution for contingent W-2 workers with easy-to-integrate APIs.
- Bubty and Ascen provide the foundation for the contingent talent industry’s fully integrated, digitally native, country- and contract-agnostic solution providing clients with access to a full range of contingent workforce models (independent contractors, agency-of-record, employer-of-record, staff augmentation, statement of work, and outsourcing) sourced from Upwork’s unparalleled talent pool, including over 250,000 AI experts globally.(5)
Generating New Value through Ads & Monetization Strategies
- Continued strength in ads & monetization, with revenue increasing
17% year-over-year. - Freelancer Plus subscription revenue grew
13% year-over-year and Connects revenue grew19% year-over-year. - GSV from Business Plus–Upwork’s offering gaining traction with larger clients in the SMB space–increased
190% and active clients increased45% quarter-over-quarter. New customers represented35% of active Business Plus clients, demonstrating strong demand with the right value proposition and product fit.
Investing in AI Infrastructure
- Accelerated investments in Upwork’s internal AI infrastructure, such as embedded AI copilots and autonomous agents to drive productivity, streamline operations, and orchestrate cross-functional intelligence.
- Ramped up usage of customer service AI agent Upwork Assist, expanding from chat to voice channels, with pilot program already reaching
80% + adoption, empowering frontline teams to handle more complex inquiries with AI-augmented efficiency. - AI now contributes to over
35% of deployed engineering code. On the core Upwork Marketplace engineering team, fine-tuned LLM evaluation of match quality at scale reduced model iteration costs and cycle times by over70% in Q2, accelerating ability to develop, optimize, and ship new product releases.
Financial Guidance & Outlook
Upwork’s guidance for revenue, adjusted EBITDA, diluted weighted-average shares outstanding, and non-GAAP diluted EPS for the third quarter of 2025 is:
- Revenue:
$190 million to$195 million - Adjusted EBITDA:
$47 million to$51 million - Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding: 140 million to 141 million
- Non-GAAP diluted EPS:
$0.26 t o$0.28
Upwork’s guidance for revenue, adjusted EBITDA, diluted weighted-average shares outstanding, non-GAAP diluted EPS, and stock-based compensation expense for full year 2025 is:
- Revenue:
$765 million to$775 million - Adjusted EBITDA:
$206 million to$214 million - Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding: 140 million to 142 million
- Non-GAAP diluted EPS:
$1.14 t o$1.18 - Stock-based compensation expense
$60 million to$65 million
UPWORK INC. Key Financial and Operational Metrics (In thousands, except percentages and basis points) (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2025 | 2024 | Change | 2025 | 2024 | Change | ||||||||||||||||
GSV(2) | $ | 1,002,650 | $ | 1,008,267 | (0.6 | )% | $ | 1,990,363 | $ | 2,017,063 | (1.3 | )% | |||||||||
Marketplace revenue(2) | $ | 170,660 | $ | 166,786 | 2 | % | $ | 336,953 | $ | 331,116 | 2 | % | |||||||||
Enterprise revenue(2) | $ | 24,279 | $ | 26,343 | (8 | )% | $ | 50,692 | $ | 52,950 | (4 | )% | |||||||||
Gross profit | $ | 151,507 | $ | 149,277 | 1 | % | $ | 302,407 | $ | 296,021 | 2 | % | |||||||||
Gross profit margin | 78 | % | 77 | % | 43 bps | 78 | % | 77 | % | 94 bps | |||||||||||
Operating expenses | $ | 118,942 | $ | 131,496 | (10 | )% | $ | 231,152 | $ | 265,191 | (13 | )% | |||||||||
Net income | $ | 32,726 | $ | 22,220 | 47 | % | $ | 70,456 | $ | 40,662 | 73 | % | |||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA(3) | $ | 57,061 | $ | 40,835 | 40 | % | $ | 113,072 | $ | 74,160 | 52 | % | |||||||||
Profit margin | 17 | % | 12 | % | 528 bps | 18 | % | 11 | % | 759 bps | |||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA margin(3) | 29 | % | 21 | % | 813 bps | 29 | % | 19 | % | 986 bps | |||||||||||
Cash provided by operating activities(4) | $ | 72,514 | $ | 39,203 | 85 | % | $ | 109,479 | $ | 54,017 | 103 | % | |||||||||
Free cash flow(3)(4) | $ | 65,626 | $ | 35,456 | 85 | % | $ | 96,416 | $ | 47,605 | 103 | % |
As ofJune 30, | ||||||||
(In thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | % Change | |||||
Active clients(2) | 796 | 868 | (8 | )% | ||||
(1) SIA, Global Staffing Market Estimates & Forecasts November 2024 | Staffing Industry Analysts
(2) See Key Definitions in our second quarter 2025 earnings presentation.
(3) An explanation of non-GAAP financial measures and reconciliations to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures can be found in the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section and the subsequent tables at the end of this press release.
(4)The Company elected to change the presentation of certain cash flows on its Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow, reclassifying the change in Trade and client receivables, related to amounts received on behalf of talent to fund their escrow account, from operating activities to financing activities. Prior period comparative amounts have been recast to conform to the current period presentation.
(5)The acquisition of Ascen is expected to close in the second half of 2025, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results Conference Call and Webcast
Upwork will host a conference call today at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time/5:00 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss the company’s second quarter 2025 financial results. An audio webcast archive will be available following the live event for approximately one year at investors.upwork.com. Please visit the Upwork Investor Relations website at investors.upwork.com/financial-information/quarterly-results to view Upwork’s second quarter 2025 earnings presentation.
Disclosure Information
We use our Investor Relations website (investors.upwork.com), our Blog (upwork.com/blog), our X handle (twitter.com/Upwork), Hayden Brown’s X handle (twitter.com/hydnbrwn) and LinkedIn profile (linkedin.com/in/haydenlbrown), and Erica Gessert’s LinkedIn profile (linkedin.com/in/erica-gessert) as means of disseminating or providing notification of, among other things, news or announcements regarding our business or financial performance, investor events, press releases, and earnings releases, and as means of disclosing material nonpublic information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD.
About Upwork
Upwork is the world’s largest work marketplace that connects businesses with highly skilled, AI-enabled independent talent from across the globe. From entrepreneurs to Fortune 100 enterprises, companies rely on Upwork’s trusted platform and its mindful AI companion, UmaTM, to find and hire expert talent, leverage AI-powered work solutions, and drive business transformation. With on-demand access to professionals spanning more than 10,000 skills across AI & machine learning, software development, sales & marketing, customer support, finance & accounting, and more, Upwork enables businesses of all sizes to scale, innovate, and build agile teams for the age of AI and beyond.
Upwork’s platform has facilitated more than
Contact:
Investor Relations
[email protected]
Safe Harbor:
This press release of Upwork Inc. (the “Company,� “we,� “us,� or “our�) contains "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements include all statements other than statements of historical fact, including any statements regarding our future operating results and financial position, including expected financial results for the third quarter and full year 2025, information or predictions concerning the future of our business or strategy, anticipated events and trends, potential growth or growth prospects, competitive position, technological and market trends, industry environment, the economy, our plans with respect to share repurchases, the expected impact and timing of strategic initiatives, including the acquisitions of Bubty B.V. and Ascen Inc. by a subsidiary of the Company, and other future conditions.
We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections as of the date hereof about future events and trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, short- and long-term business operations and objectives, and financial needs. As such, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, known and unknown risks, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and in many cases outside our control, and you should not rely on such forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. We make no representation that the projected results will be achieved or that future events and circumstances will occur, and actual results may differ materially and adversely from our expectations. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and we do not undertake, and expressly disclaim, any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, conform these statements to actual results, or make changes in our expectations, except as required by law. Additional information regarding the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations is included under the caption "Risk Factors" in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on May 5, 2025, and in our other SEC filings, which are available on our Investor Relations website at investors.upwork.com and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Additional information will also be set forth under the caption “Risk Factors� in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June30, 2025, when filed.
Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements in this press release. Neither we nor any other person makes any representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of the information herein. This press release is made solely for informational purposes.
Upwork, “UmaTM, Upwork’s Mindful AI,� and other registered or common law trade names, trademarks, or service marks of Upwork appearing in this press release are the property of Upwork. This presentation may also contain additional trade names, trademarks, and service marks of other companies, including names and brands. All third-party trademarks are property of their respective owners, and any references to third-party trademarks are for identification purposes only and shall be considered nominative fair use under trademark law.
UPWORK INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands, except for per share data) (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||
2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||
Revenue | |||||||||||||||
Marketplace | $ | 170,660 | $ | 166,786 | $ | 336,953 | $ | 331,116 | |||||||
Enterprise | 24,279 | 26,343 | 50,692 | 52,950 | |||||||||||
Total revenue | 194,939 | 193,129 | 387,645 | 384,066 | |||||||||||
Cost of revenue | 43,432 | 43,852 | 85,238 | 88,045 | |||||||||||
Gross profit | 151,507 | 149,277 | 302,407 | 296,021 | |||||||||||
Operating expenses | |||||||||||||||
Research and development | 44,843 | 52,465 | 90,995 | 105,381 | |||||||||||
Sales and marketing | 36,671 | 47,333 | 72,422 | 95,184 | |||||||||||
General and administrative | 35,659 | 29,924 | 63,707 | 61,925 | |||||||||||
Provision for transaction losses | 1,769 | 1,774 | 4,028 | 2,701 | |||||||||||
Total operating expenses | 118,942 | 131,496 | 231,152 | 265,191 | |||||||||||
Income from operations | 32,565 | 17,781 | 71,255 | 30,830 | |||||||||||
Other income, net | 5,878 | 5,620 | 12,195 | 12,342 | |||||||||||
Income before income taxes | 38,443 | 23,401 | 83,450 | 43,172 | |||||||||||
Income tax provision | (5,717 | ) | (1,181 | ) | (12,994 | ) | (2,510 | ) | |||||||
Net income | $ | 32,726 | $ | 22,220 | $ | 70,456 | $ | 40,662 | |||||||
Net income per share: | |||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | 0.25 | $ | 0.17 | $ | 0.53 | $ | 0.30 | |||||||
Diluted | $ | 0.24 | $ | 0.17 | $ | 0.50 | $ | 0.30 | |||||||
Weighted-average shares used to compute net income per share: | |||||||||||||||
Basic | 132,183 | 131,436 | 133,687 | 133,809 | |||||||||||
Diluted | 140,198 | 138,266 | 141,866 | 140,798 | |||||||||||
UPWORK INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands) (Unaudited) | |||||||
June 30, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | ||||||
ASSETS | |||||||
Current assets | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 291,070 | $ | 305,757 | |||
Marketable securities | 343,509 | 316,344 | |||||
Funds held in escrow, including funds in transit | 212,033 | 195,736 | |||||
Trade and client receivables, net | 71,230 | 75,490 | |||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 21,141 | 17,727 | |||||
Total current assets | 938,983 | 911,054 | |||||
Property and equipment, net | 38,109 | 30,056 | |||||
Goodwill | 141,473 | 121,064 | |||||
Intangible assets, net | 9,525 | 12,989 | |||||
Operating lease asset | 5,367 | 5,752 | |||||
Deferred tax asset | 126,715 | 128,779 | |||||
Other assets, noncurrent | 1,544 | 1,919 | |||||
Total assets | $ | 1,261,716 | $ | 1,211,613 | |||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS� EQUITY | |||||||
Current liabilities | |||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 1,027 | $ | 6,128 | |||
Escrow funds payable | 212,033 | 195,736 | |||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 58,762 | 59,300 | |||||
Deferred revenue | 7,802 | 7,269 | |||||
Total current liabilities | 279,624 | 268,433 | |||||
Debt, noncurrent | 358,849 | 357,928 | |||||
Operating lease liability, noncurrent | 10,351 | 9,567 | |||||
Other liabilities, noncurrent | 4,238 | 308 | |||||
Total liabilities | 653,062 | 636,236 | |||||
Stockholders� equity | |||||||
Common stock | 13 | 14 | |||||
Additional paid-in capital | 615,937 | 653,575 | |||||
Accumulated and other comprehensive income | 724 | 264 | |||||
Accumulated deficit | (8,020 | ) | (78,476 | ) | |||
Total stockholders� equity | 608,654 | 575,377 | |||||
Total liabilities and stockholders� equity | $ | 1,261,716 | $ | 1,211,613 | |||
UPWORK INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In thousands) (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||
2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 32,726 | $ | 22,220 | $ | 70,456 | $ | 40,662 | |||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||||||||||
Provision for transaction losses | 1,528 | 1,637 | 3,594 | 2,433 | |||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 5,879 | 3,629 | 10,740 | 6,775 | |||||||||||
Amortization of debt issuance costs | 461 | 461 | 921 | 921 | |||||||||||
Accretion of discount on purchases of marketable securities, net | (1,561 | ) | (3,283 | ) | (3,504 | ) | (8,159 | ) | |||||||
Amortization of operating lease asset | 183 | 859 | 385 | 1,706 | |||||||||||
Tides Foundation common stock warrant expense | 187 | 187 | 375 | 375 | |||||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | 15,977 | 19,238 | 28,249 | 36,180 | |||||||||||
Deferred taxes | 2,064 | � | 2,064 | � | |||||||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||||||||||||||
Trade and client receivables(1) | 3,895 | (1,856 | ) | 360 | (5,087 | ) | |||||||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets | (40 | ) | (3,004 | ) | (3,338 | ) | (5,133 | ) | |||||||
Operating lease liability | (22 | ) | (1,580 | ) | 808 | (3,129 | ) | ||||||||
Accounts payable | (3,088 | ) | (81 | ) | (5,075 | ) | 701 | ||||||||
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | 14,019 | 4,050 | 2,911 | (6,847 | ) | ||||||||||
Deferred revenue | 306 | (3,274 | ) | 533 | (7,381 | ) | |||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 72,514 | 39,203 | 109,479 | 54,017 | |||||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||||||||||
Purchases of marketable securities | (208,440 | ) | (44,423 | ) | (259,148 | ) | (194,299 | ) | |||||||
Proceeds from maturities of marketable securities | 181,031 | 190,074 | 232,411 | 321,846 | |||||||||||
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities | 3,257 | 8,485 | 3,537 | 35,394 | |||||||||||
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired | (20,410 | ) | � | (20,410 | ) | � | |||||||||
Purchases of property and equipment | (2,381 | ) | (598 | ) | (4,853 | ) | (775 | ) | |||||||
Internal-use software and platform development costs | (4,507 | ) | (3,149 | ) | (8,210 | ) | (5,637 | ) | |||||||
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities | (51,450 | ) | 150,389 | (56,673 | ) | 156,529 | |||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||||||||||
Change in escrow funds payable, net(1) | (2,684 | ) | (6,194 | ) | 16,574 | (4,802 | ) | ||||||||
Proceeds from exercises of stock options and common stock warrants | 1 | 664 | 653 | 770 | |||||||||||
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan | 2,199 | 2,917 | 2,199 | 2,917 | |||||||||||
Repurchase of common stock | (37,868 | ) | (33,124 | ) | (70,922 | ) | (100,000 | ) | |||||||
Net cash (used in) financing activities | (38,352 | ) | (35,737 | ) | (51,496 | ) | (101,115 | ) | |||||||
NET CHANGE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH | (17,288 | ) | 153,855 | 1,310 | 109,431 | ||||||||||
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH—beginning of period | 524,191 | 251,994 | 505,593 | 296,418 | |||||||||||
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH—end of period | $ | 506,903 | $ | 405,849 | $ | 506,903 | $ | 405,849 | |||||||
(1) The Company elected to change the presentation of certain cash flows on its Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow, reclassifying the change in Trade and client receivables, related to amounts received on behalf of talent to fund their escrow account, from operating activities to financing activities. Prior period comparative amounts have been recast to conform to the current period presentation.
The following table reconciles cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash as reported in the condensed consolidated balance sheets to the total of the same amounts shown in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows as of the following (in thousands):
June 30, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 291,070 | $ | 305,757 | |||
Restricted cash | 3,800 | 4,100 | |||||
Funds held in escrow, including funds in transit | 212,033 | 195,736 | |||||
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash as shown in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows | $ | 506,903 | $ | 505,593 | |||
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement our condensed consolidated financial statements, which are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP�), we present certain non-GAAP financial measures in this press release, including adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, free cash flow, and non-GAAP diluted EPS.
We define adjusted EBITDA as net income adjusted for stock-based compensation expense; depreciation and amortization; other income (expense), net, which includes interest expense; income tax benefit (provision); and, if applicable, certain other gains, losses, benefits, or charges that are non-cash or are significant and the result of isolated events or transactions that have not occurred frequently in the past and are not expected to occur regularly in the future. Free cash flow is defined as cash provided by operations less purchases of property, plant and equipment and cash outflows from internally developed software.
We use non-GAAP financial measures in conjunction with financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP for planning purposes, including the preparation of our annual operating budget, as a measure of our core operating results and the effectiveness of our business strategy, and in evaluating our financial performance. These non-GAAP financial measures provide consistency and comparability with past financial performance, facilitate period-to-period comparisons of our 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. In addition, adjusted EBITDA is widely used by investors and securities analysts to measure a company’s operating performance without regard to certain items that can vary substantially from company to company, and free cash flow allows investors to evaluate the cash generated from our underlying operations across periods.
Investors are cautioned that there are material limitations associated with the use of non-GAAP financial measures as analytical tools, and investors should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for the most directly comparable financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. In particular, (1) adjusted EBITDA excludes stock-based compensation expense, which has recently been, and will continue to be for the foreseeable future, a significant recurring expense for our business and an important part of our compensation strategy, (2) although depreciation and amortization expense are non-cash charges, the assets subject to depreciation and amortization may have to be replaced in the future, and adjusted EBITDA does not reflect cash capital expenditure requirements for such replacements or for new capital expenditure requirements, and (3) adjusted EBITDA does not reflect: (a) changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs; (b) interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on our debt, which reduces cash available to us; or (c) tax payments that may represent a reduction in cash available to us. In addition, the non-GAAP financial measures we use may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies, including companies in our industry, limiting their usefulness for comparison purposes. We compensate for these limitations by providing specific information regarding the GAAP items excluded from the non-GAAP financial measures that we present. Reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures presented in this press release to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures have been provided below, and investors are encouraged to review the reconciliations and not rely on any single financial measure to evaluate our business.
We have not reconciled our adjusted EBITDA guidance to GAAP net income or non-GAAP diluted EPS guidance to GAAP diluted EPS because certain items that impact GAAP net income and GAAP diluted EPS are uncertain or out of our control and cannot be reasonably predicted. In particular, stock-based compensation expense is impacted by the future fair market value of our common stock and other factors, all of which are difficult to predict, subject to frequent change, or not within our control. The actual amount of these expenses during the third quarter of 2025 and fiscal year 2025 will have a significant impact on our future GAAP financial results. Accordingly, a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA guidance to GAAP net income and non-GAAP diluted EPS guidance to GAAP diluted EPS is not available without unreasonable effort.
UPWORK INC. RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP RESULTS (In thousands, except for percentages and share data) (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||
2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 32,726 | $ | 22,220 | $ | 70,456 | $ | 40,662 | |||||||
Add back (deduct): | |||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | 15,977 | 19,238 | 28,249 | 36,180 | |||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 5,879 | 3,629 | 10,740 | 6,775 | |||||||||||
Other income, net | (5,878 | ) | (5,620 | ) | (12,195 | ) | (12,342 | ) | |||||||
Income tax provision | 5,717 | 1,181 | 12,994 | 2,510 | |||||||||||
Other(1) (2) | 2,640 | 187 | 2,828 | 375 | |||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 57,061 | $ | 40,835 | $ | 113,072 | $ | 74,160 | |||||||
Profit margin | 17 | % | 12 | % | 18 | % | 11 | % | |||||||
Adjusted EBITDA margin | 29 | % | 21 | % | 29 | % | 19 | % | |||||||
Cost of revenue, GAAP | $ | 43,432 | $ | 43,852 | $ | 85,238 | $ | 88,045 | |||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | (200 | ) | (497 | ) | (387 | ) | (963 | ) | |||||||
Cost of revenue, Non-GAAP | 43,232 | 43,355 | 84,851 | 87,082 | |||||||||||
As a percentage of total revenue, GAAP | 22 | % | 23 | % | 22 | % | 23 | % | |||||||
As a percentage of total revenue, Non-GAAP | 22 | % | 22 | % | 22 | % | 23 | % | |||||||
Gross profit, GAAP | $ | 151,507 | $ | 149,277 | $ | 302,407 | $ | 296,021 | |||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | 200 | 497 | 387 | 963 | |||||||||||
Gross profit, Non-GAAP | 151,707 | 149,774 | 302,794 | 296,984 | |||||||||||
Gross margin, GAAP | 78 | % | 77 | % | 78 | % | 77 | % | |||||||
Gross margin, Non-GAAP | 78 | % | 78 | % | 78 | % | 77 | % | |||||||
Research and development, GAAP | $ | 44,843 | $ | 52,465 | $ | 90,995 | $ | 105,381 | |||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | (5,615 | ) | (8,106 | ) | (11,427 | ) | (15,476 | ) | |||||||
Intangible amortization | (1,315 | ) | (398 | ) | (2,630 | ) | (797 | ) | |||||||
Research and development, Non-GAAP | 37,913 | 43,961 | 76,938 | 89,108 | |||||||||||
As a percentage of total revenue, GAAP | 23 | % | 27 | % | 23 | % | 27 | % | |||||||
As a percentage of total revenue, Non-GAAP | 19 | % | 23 | % | 20 | % | 23 | % | |||||||
Sales and marketing, GAAP | $ | 36,671 | $ | 47,333 | $ | 72,422 | $ | 95,184 | |||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | (1,674 | ) | (3,393 | ) | (3,175 | ) | (6,329 | ) | |||||||
Intangible amortization | (333 | ) | � | (833 | ) | � | |||||||||
Sales and marketing, Non-GAAP | 34,664 | 43,940 | 68,414 | 88,855 | |||||||||||
As a percentage of total revenue, GAAP | 19 | % | 25 | % | 19 | % | 25 | % | |||||||
As a percentage of total revenue, Non-GAAP | 18 | % | 23 | % | 18 | % | 23 | % | |||||||
General and administrative, GAAP | $ | 35,659 | $ | 29,924 | $ | 63,707 | $ | 61,925 | |||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | (8,488 | ) | (7,242 | ) | (13,260 | ) | (13,412 | ) | |||||||
Other(1) (2) | (2,640 | ) | (187 | ) | (2,828 | ) | (375 | ) | |||||||
General and administrative, Non-GAAP | 24,531 | 22,495 | 47,619 | 48,138 | |||||||||||
As a percentage of total revenue, GAAP | 18 | % | 15 | % | 16 | % | 16 | % | |||||||
As a percentage of total revenue, Non-GAAP | 13 | % | 12 | % | 12 | % | 13 | % | |||||||
Total operating expenses, GAAP | $ | 118,942 | $ | 131,496 | $ | 231,152 | $ | 265,191 | |||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | (15,777 | ) | (18,741 | ) | (27,862 | ) | (35,217 | ) | |||||||
Intangible amortization | (1,648 | ) | (398 | ) | (3,463 | ) | (797 | ) | |||||||
Other(1) (2) | (2,640 | ) | (187 | ) | (2,828 | ) | (375 | ) | |||||||
Total operating expenses, Non-GAAP | 98,877 | 112,170 | 196,999 | 228,802 | |||||||||||
As a percentage of total revenue, GAAP | 61 | % | 68 | % | 60 | % | 69 | % | |||||||
As a percentage of total revenue, Non-GAAP | 51 | % | 58 | % | 51 | % | 60 | % | |||||||
Income from operations, GAAP | $ | 32,565 | $ | 17,781 | $ | 71,255 | $ | 30,830 | |||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | 15,977 | 19,238 | 28,249 | 36,180 | |||||||||||
Intangible amortization | 1,648 | 398 | 3,463 | 797 | |||||||||||
Other(1) (2) | 2,640 | 187 | 2,828 | 375 | |||||||||||
Income from operations, Non-GAAP | 52,830 | 37,604 | 105,795 | 68,182 | |||||||||||
Net income, GAAP | $ | 32,726 | $ | 22,220 | $ | 70,456 | $ | 40,662 | |||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | 15,977 | 19,238 | 28,249 | 36,180 | |||||||||||
Intangible amortization | 1,648 | 398 | 3,463 | 797 | |||||||||||
Tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments | (5,085 | ) | (6,815 | ) | (8,716 | ) | (12,387 | ) | |||||||
Other(1) (2) | 2,640 | 187 | 2,828 | 375 | |||||||||||
Net income, Non-GAAP | 47,906 | 35,228 | 96,280 | 65,627 | |||||||||||
Weighted-average shares outstanding used in computing earnings per share, GAAP | |||||||||||||||
Basic (in millions) | 132.2 | 131.4 | 133.7 | 133.8 | |||||||||||
Diluted (in millions) | 140.2 | 138.3 | 141.9 | 140.8 | |||||||||||
Basic earnings per share, GAAP | $ | 0.25 | $ | 0.17 | $ | 0.53 | $ | 0.30 | |||||||
Diluted earnings per share, GAAP | $ | 0.24 | $ | 0.17 | $ | 0.50 | $ | 0.30 | |||||||
Weighted-average shares outstanding used in computing earnings per share, Non-GAAP | |||||||||||||||
Basic (in millions) | 132.2 | 131.4 | 133.7 | 133.8 | |||||||||||
Diluted (in millions) | 140.2 | 138.3 | 141.9 | 140.8 | |||||||||||
Basic earnings per share, Non-GAAP | $ | 0.36 | $ | 0.27 | $ | 0.72 | $ | 0.49 | |||||||
Diluted earnings per share, Non-GAAP | $ | 0.35 | $ | 0.26 | $ | 0.69 | $ | 0.48 | |||||||
(1) During the three and six months ended June30, 2025 and 2024, we incurred
(2) During the three and six months ended June30, 2025, we incurred acquisition-related costs of
UPWORK INC. RECONCILIATION OF CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES TO FREE CASH FLOW (In thousands) (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||
2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||
Cash provided by operating activities | $ | 72,514 | $ | 39,203 | $ | 109,479 | $ | 54,017 | ||||||||
Less: purchases of property, plant & equipment and cash outflows from internally developed software | (6,888 | ) | (3,747 | ) | (13,063 | ) | (6,412 | ) | ||||||||
Free cash flow | $ | 65,626 | $ | 35,456 | $ | 96,416 | $ | 47,605 | ||||||||
