Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the full year 2021, revenue reached $298 million, representing a 57% year-over-year growth and a 178% growth on a two-year basis [4] - The company achieved $1 billion in annual GMV for the first time and generated an adjusted EBITDA of $23 million, implying an adjusted EBITDA margin of 7.7%, compared to 4.8% a year ago and negative 16.8% two years ago [5] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4 2021, revenue was $79.8 million, up 43% year-over-year, driven by a 23% growth in active buyers and an 80% increase in spending buyers [16] - The company saw a 210 basis points expansion in take rate during the quarter [16] - Mature cohorts experienced over 110% year-over-year retention for the second consecutive year [17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Non-English speaking countries contributed to 32% of total revenue [7] - E-commerce related categories showed strong performance as businesses invested in content and marketing during the holiday season [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to become an all-in-one talent cloud solution for businesses of all sizes, focusing on building a robust seller ecosystem and integrating acquired companies into its platform [6][7] - The management emphasized the importance of transitioning from a static workforce to a dynamic talent cloud solution, similar to the shift from on-premise IT to cloud computing [12][13] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The management noted that the way people work is undergoing a fundamental transformation, with more individuals leaving traditional jobs to become freelancers [8][10] - The company expects to remain disciplined with its financial strategy while continuing to invest in growth initiatives [15][22] Other Important Information - The company plans to accelerate investments in brand marketing and performance marketing, with a focus on driving higher quality buyers and improving marketing efficiency [19][70] - The gross margin is expected to see a shortfall of approximately 1% throughout the year due to hiring catch-up [73] Q&A Session Summary Question: Drivers of the take rate upside and competition - The increase in take rate is attributed to added value services and products, including promoted gigs and subscription services [26][28] - The management has not observed any significant impact from competitors like Upwork and LinkedIn on their business [32] Question: Visibility for 2022 trends and adoption curve of freelancing - The company guides based on known factors and has seen a stabilized business reminiscent of pre-pandemic trends [38] - The overall freelancing market is expected to grow, with a significant portion of the American workforce projected to be freelancers by 2030 [42] Question: New product introductions and acquisitions - Recent acquisitions are seen as strategic building blocks for the talent cloud, with a focus on integrating offline freelancer relationships [50][51] Question: Offline opportunity and marketplace curation - The management highlighted the need for standardization in how freelancers are integrated into organizations, addressing both offline and online opportunities [55] - Quality remains a key focus, with efforts to better match buyers and sellers through improved data and segmentation [57] Question: Brand marketing investments and NFT demand - Brand marketing is viewed as a long-term investment, with significant growth in unaided brand awareness [70] - The supply on the platform is expected to meet the rising demand for services related to NFTs and other emerging technologies [72] Question: Gross margin and hiring impacts - The fourth quarter gross margin is expected to reflect a shortfall due to hiring, with a projected 1% decrease throughout the year [73] Question: Tailwinds from labor shortages - The company is experiencing tailwinds from the labor shortage, with increased engagement from larger businesses seeking freelancers [82]