Executive Summary:
How will Generative AI affect Fiverr’s business?
Fiverr International, an Israeli company founded in 2010, is a leading online marketplace for freelance services. Connecting businesses with freelancers offering their talent in over 500 categories, Fiverr’s mission is to change how the world works together. From writing and graphic design to marketing and programming, the platform enables a diverse range of services in a free market setting. With headquarters in Tel Aviv-Yafo and a global reach, Fiverr empowers both businesses and individuals by facilitating remote work and offering flexible opportunities.
Fiverr’s latest earnings announcement for Q3 2023.
- Revenue: $92.5 million, exceeding analyst expectations by 5.7% and growing 12.1% year-over-year.
- Earnings per share (EPS): $0.59, surpassing analyst estimates by $0.05 and representing a significant improvement from $0.23 in Q3 2022.
This strong performance was driven by a 4% increase in average spend per buyer and a slight rise in active buyers compared to the previous year. Fiverr also boasts impressive profitability metrics, with an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 17.9%.
Stock Overview:
| Ticker | $FVRR | Price | $28.19 | Market Cap | $1.08B |
| 52 Week High | $47.66 | 52 Week Low | $20.04 | Shares outstanding | 38.38M |
Company background:
Founding and Founders:
Fiverr International was founded in 2010 by Micha Kaufman, Ofer Lerner, and Shanan Nir in Tel Aviv, Israel. The company’s name comes from the fact that all services on the platform were originally priced at $5. However, today, freelancers can set their own prices for their services.
Funding:
Fiverr has raised a total of over $440 million in funding from investors such as Accel Partners, Bessemer Venture Partners, and General Atlantic. The company went public on the New York Stock Exchange in June 2019 under the ticker symbol FVRR.
Products:
Fiverr is an online marketplace for freelance services. The platform connects businesses and individuals with freelancers who offer a wide range of services, including writing, graphic design, marketing, programming, and translation. Fiverr also offers a number of tools and resources to help freelancers and businesses succeed on the platform, such as Fiverr Workspace, which provides project management, invoicing, and payment processing tools.
Key Competitors:
Fiverr’s main competitors include Upwork, Freelancer.com, and Guru.com. These platforms also offer a wide range of freelance services, but they have different pricing models and features.
Recent Earnings:
Q3 2023 Highlights:
- Revenue: $92.5 million, a 12.1% year-over-year increase and exceeding analyst expectations by 5.7%.
- Earnings per share (EPS): $0.59, surpassing analyst estimates by $0.05 and significantly higher than the $0.23 in Q3 2022.
- Active buyers: Remained stable year-over-year at 4.2 million.
- Spend per buyer: Grew 4% year-over-year to $271.
- Adjusted EBITDA: $16.5 million, with a margin of 17.9%.
The Market, Industry, and Competitors:
Fiverr International operates in the vast and rapidly growing freelance marketplace industry. This market is fueled by several trends, including:
- The increasing popularity of remote work: As more companies embrace flexible work arrangements, the demand for freelance talent surges.
- The rise of the gig economy: Individuals are increasingly seeking flexible work opportunities, and platforms like Fiverr cater to this need.
- The growing need for specialized skills: Businesses often require specific skills for short-term projects, and freelance platforms offer a quick and easy way to find them.
This confluence of factors is expected to drive significant growth in the freelance marketplace industry. Market research firm Grand View Research predicts the global freelance market to reach a staggering $7.4B by 2030, with a CAGR of 12.3% from 2023 to 2030.
Fiverr is well-positioned to capitalize on this growth, thanks to its:
- Diverse range of services: Fiverr offers a vast array of services across various categories, catering to a wider audience.
- Focus on user experience: The platform is user-friendly and intuitive, attracting both freelancers and businesses.
- Global reach: Fiverr operates in over 160 countries, offering a wider talent pool and customer base.
While future growth is promising, it’s crucial to remember that the market is competitive. Upwork, Freelancer.com, and Guru.com are significant competitors, and Fiverr must continuously innovate and adapt to maintain its edge.
Unique differentiation:
In the bustling arena of freelance marketplaces, Fiverr faces several key competitors, each with its own strengths and weaknesses:
Upwork: This giant boasts a more established presence, particularly in larger, complex projects. It offers hourly billing and escrow services, attracting businesses seeking long-term collaborations. However, its fees can be higher for freelancers, and the platform might be less intuitive for casual users.
Freelancer.com: With a vast pool of freelancers and projects, it thrives on affordability and caters to budget-conscious clients. Yet, its interface can be cluttered, and quality control might be less stringent compared to Fiverr.
Guru.com: Similar to Freelancer in pricing and project scope, Guru targets established businesses and experienced freelancers. However, its user base is smaller, and competition within specific categories might be lower.
Toptal: Known for its rigorous screening process, Toptal connects businesses with vetted, high-caliber freelancers for demanding projects. This exclusivity comes at a premium, attracting businesses willing to pay for guaranteed quality.
Specialized Platforms: Numerous niche platforms cater to specific industries like design (Dribble), writing (ProBlogger), or programming (GitHub). These platforms offer a focused talent pool and deep understanding of industry specifics, but might restrict reach for generalists.
While each competitor presents unique challenges, Fiverr holds its ground with several advantages:
- Diverse service categories: From quick design tasks to complex marketing campaigns, Fiverr offers the widest range of services.
- User-friendly interface: Its platform is intuitive and caters to both novice and experienced users.
- Focus on micro-services: The “gig” approach attracts individual freelancers and businesses seeking smaller, quick solutions.
- Growing global reach: Fiverr’s international presence expands its talent pool and client base.
While Fiverr International faces stiff competition in the freelance marketplace, it has carved out a unique niche with several key differentiators:
Micro-service focus: Unlike competitors emphasizing hourly rates or long-term projects, Fiverr thrives on micro-services priced at specific, often affordable, fixed rates. This attracts both individual freelancers offering smaller tasks and businesses seeking quick solutions without lengthy commitments.
User-friendly platform: Fiverr boasts a simple and intuitive interface, making it easy for both freelancers and businesses to navigate, post projects, and find talent. This ease of use attracts users who might find more complex platforms like Upwork daunting.
Diverse service categories: Fiverr offers a wider range of services compared to most competitors. From graphic design and writing to programming and marketing, the platform caters to a broader spectrum of needs, attracting a larger talent pool and client base.
Global reach: Operating in over 160 countries, Fiverr boasts a diverse and international user base. This expands the talent pool and client base, offering businesses wider options and freelancers a larger audience.
Community and learning: Fiverr actively fosters a community spirit among users, offering forums, workshops, and resources for both freelancers and businesses. This focus on learning and development further attracts users seeking to grow their skills and careers.
Focus on individual sellers: While Upwork might favor agencies and larger teams, Fiverr empowers individual freelancers to showcase their skills and build their businesses. This attracts solopreneurs and small businesses seeking affordable talent.
Management & Employees:
Fiverr International’s Management Team:
Executive Leadership:
- Micha Kaufman, Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer & Director: Kaufman has led Fiverr since its inception, bringing extensive experience in founding and managing technology ventures. He plays a key role in driving the company’s overall strategy and vision.
- Ofer Katz, President & Chief Financial Officer: Katz oversees Fiverr’s financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, and investor relations. He has a strong background in finance and accounting, having served in leadership positions at several technology companies.
- Hila Klein, Chief Operating Officer: Klein is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Fiverr, including platform operations, customer support, and trust & safety. She brings a wealth of experience in operational excellence and scaling businesses.
Financials:
Fiverr International: Financial Performance Overview (2019-2023)
Over the past five years, Fiverr International has demonstrated consistent revenue growth, solidifying its position in the freelance marketplace industry. But revenue growth has dramatically slowed.
Revenue: Between 2019 and 2023, Fiverr’s revenue has nearly tripled, growing from $77.1 million to $277.5 million (based on estimated Q4 2023 results). This translates to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 44%. This impressive growth was driven by an expanding user base, increasing average spend per buyer, and the addition of new service categories.
Earnings: While Fiverr wasn’t consistently profitable in its early years, the company has seen significant progress on the earnings front. Net income in 2023 is expected to reach around $80 million, compared to a net loss of $52.7 million in 2019. This represents a CAGR of approximately 320%. This improvement reflects better cost management, economies of scale, and increased profitability per transaction.
Balance Sheet: Fiverr’s balance sheet has strengthened significantly over the past five years. Cash and cash equivalents are expected to reach nearly $800 million by the end of 2023, compared to just $85 million in 2019. This demonstrates the company’s strong financial position and ability to invest in future growth initiatives.
Fiverr still carries some debt, estimated to be around $250 million at the end of 2023. While manageable, this debt needs to be monitored as the company continues to grow and invest.
Technical Analysis:
Fiverr stock has been range bound in the monthly and weekly charts between $20 and $30 for over 18 months. On the daily chart, the stock is below most of its moving averages, with consolidation in the $25 to $28 zone. While the MACD is mildly positive, the RSI indicates not much strength yet.
Bull Case:
The bull case for Fiverr International stock:
- Strong Market Tailwinds: The freelance economy is booming, with an estimated $7 billion dollar market size by 2030. Fiverr is well-positioned to capitalize on this growth, as businesses increasingly turn to freelancers for flexible and specialized talent.
- Global Reach: Fiverr operates in over 160 countries, offering a wider talent pool and client base than most competitors. This global reach expands the company’s growth potential.
- Strong Financial Performance: Fiverr has demonstrated improving profitability, and a strengthening balance sheet over the past five years.
- Valuation: While Fiverr’s stock price has pulled back from its all-time highs, some analysts believe it is now undervalued. They argue that the company’s long-term growth potential justifies a higher valuation.
Bear case:
The bear case for Fiverr International stock:
Slowing Growth: While Fiverr experienced impressive growth in its early years, its pace has slowed down recently. 2023 revenue growth is estimated at 12.1%, significantly lower than the 57% achieved in 2021. This could raise concerns about the company’s ability to maintain its previous momentum.
Competition: The freelance marketplace is crowded, with well-established players like Upwork and Freelancer.com. Fiverr needs to constantly innovate and adapt to stay ahead of the competition, which can be challenging and expensive.
Profitability: While Fiverr is showing progress on profitability, it still operates with relatively thin margins. Rising costs and potential economic downturns could put pressure on its bottom line.
Debt Concerns: Fiverr has taken on debt to fuel its growth, estimated at around $250 million by the end of 2023. Rising interest rates could increase its debt burden and limit its ability to invest in future growth initiatives.
Overdependence on Individual Segments: While Fiverr offers diverse services, some segments might be more susceptible to downturns than others. A significant decline in one segment could disproportionately impact the company’s overall performance.
Limited Network Effects: Compared to platforms like Upwork, Fiverr might have weaker network effects, where increasing users on one side attracts more users on the other. This could limit its long-term growth potential.
