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Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q3 2025, Upwork achieved a record revenue of $201.7 million, marking the first time quarterly revenue exceeded $200 million [5][18] - GAAP net income for Q3 was $29.3 million, a 6% increase compared to Q3 2024 [18] - Adjusted EBITDA reached an all-time high of $59.6 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 29.6% [6][18] - Free cash flow for Q3 was a record $69.4 million, with cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities totaling approximately $643 million at the end of the quarter [18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Gross Services Volume (GSV) for Q3 was $1.02 billion, reflecting a 2% year-over-year growth, driven by both marketplace and enterprise businesses [13][18] - Average GSV per active client rose 5% year-over-year, remaining over $5,000, indicating success in attracting high-value relationships [13] - Marketplace revenue grew 4% year-over-year, while enterprise revenue increased by 3% year-over-year [15][16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The number of clients engaging in AI-related projects increased by 45% year-over-year, with GSV from AI-related work growing 53% year-over-year [10][18] - The AI-enabled talent base on Upwork expanded by 41% compared to the previous year [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Upwork is transforming its marketplace into an AI-native platform, with significant enhancements to its AI tools, such as UMA, which has improved client and talent interactions [8][9] - The launch of the new subsidiary, Lyft, aims to unlock the $650 billion contingent work market by providing comprehensive talent sourcing and workforce management solutions [11][12] - The company is focusing on deepening its reach with small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) through tailored offerings like Upwork Business Plus, which saw a 36% quarter-over-quarter growth in active clients [10][11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about continued GSV growth, particularly in the AI category, and expects acceleration in this metric in 2026 [5][10] - The company anticipates that the integration of acquired assets will enhance its enterprise offering and contribute to significant GSV growth starting in the latter half of 2026 [24][25] - Management reiterated a long-term adjusted EBITDA margin target of 35%, despite expected dilution from investments in Lyft [39] Other Important Information - Upwork is increasing its full-year revenue guidance to a range of $782-$787 million, primarily due to the strength of its marketplace business [19] - The company is also increasing its full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance to a range of $222-$225 million, representing a more than six-point margin expansion versus 2024 [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Integration of acquired assets and enterprise offering outlook - Management noted strong early indicators from the integration of acquired assets, with increased interest from both new and existing customers, and expects significant GSV growth impact from the Lyft strategy starting in late 2026 [24][25] Question: Drivers of AI-related GSV acceleration - The primary driver of the $100 million incremental GSV was the rebuilding of the search and recommendation stack, leveraging technology from recent acquisitions [28] Question: Broader macro backdrop and freelancer demand - The macro environment has remained stable, with GSV growth driven by successful AI and SMB initiatives, and management sees further opportunities for GSV growth [34] Question: Variable freelance fee testing and UMA proposal writer - Dynamic pricing is still in early stages, with minimal contribution in Q3, while UMA's proposal writer has improved conversion rates, enhancing the overall marketplace experience [62][66]