LANDOVER, Md., Nov. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- 2U, Inc. (NASDAQ: TWOU), a leading provider of cloud-based software-as-a-service solutions for leading nonprofit colleges and universities to deliver their high-quality degree programs online, today reported financial and operating results for the quarter ended September 30, 2014.
Third Quarter 2014 Results
- Revenue was $28.4 million, an increase of 39 percent from $20.5 million in the third quarter of 2013.
- Net loss attributable to common stockholders was $(7.3) million, or $(0.18) per share, compared to $(10.2) million, or $(1.38) per share, in the third quarter of 2013.
- Adjusted net loss was $(5.1) million, or $(0.13) per pro forma share compared to $(9.5) million, or $(0.31) per pro forma share, in the third quarter of 2013.
- Adjusted EBITDA loss was $(3.4) million, compared to a loss of $(8.4) million in the third quarter of 2013.
"We believe that our clear focus on great student outcomes is creating a powerful business model. We had a very strong quarter across all of our financial measures and are increasing our expectations for the full year. At the midpoint of our new 2014 guidance range, we expect our full-year adjusted EBITDA loss to improve by 27 percent over 2013," said Chip Paucek, 2U's Chief Executive Officer and co-founder.
Paucek added, "We are pleased to continue on a path to profitability, driven by solid financial results, predictability of existing program growth and high visibility into the new program pipeline."
Recent Program Related Developments
The company previously announced four new programs scheduled to launch in 2015, reaching its stated minimum annual launch goal. With demand from prospective program partners continuing to be strong, the company now expects that it will launch a fifth 2015 program later in the year.
The company is also announcing its first new program offering for 2016, pending university and state approval. In the second half of 2016, 2U will begin to enable a Master of Science in Business Analytics within the MBA@Syracuse program offered by the Martin J. Whitman School of Management. This is a new degree for the school, what 2U refers to as a "greenfield" offering.
A full list of programs and program offerings may be found on the last page of this release and in the investor section of our web site.
Financial Outlook
Based on information available as of today, 2U is issuing the following guidance for the fourth quarter and updating its guidance for full year of 2014.
(in millions except per share information) | 4Q 2014 | FY 2014 |
Revenue | $29.7-$30.2 | $109.2-$109.7 |
Adjusted Net Loss | $(3.1)-$(2.7) | $(21.9)-$(21.5) |
Adjusted Net Loss per Common Share | $(0.08)-$(0.07) | $(0.58)-$(0.57) |
Pro Forma Weighted Average Common Shares | 40.4 | 37.8 |
Adjusted EBITDA Loss | $(1.6)-$(1.2) | $(15.8)-(15.4) |
Stock-Based Compensation Expense | $2.2 - $2.4 | $7.6 -$7.9 |
The fourth quarter and full year guidance above incorporates the impact of shifting an additional program launch to January 2015. This requires accelerating start-up and marketing expenses into the fourth quarter and the full year, 2014. Fourth quarter guidance also reflects the expected seasonal reduction in marketing expenses during the quarter.
While its 2015 budget cycle is not complete, 2U is providing an initial look into 2015 based on its early expectations:
- 2015 revenue is expected to increase by 28 to 31 percent over 2014.
- Revenue growth trends in the first half of 2015 are expected to shift from prior years, not based on any changes in enrollment trends but on shifts in academic calendars.
- Year-over-year revenue growth for the first quarter is expected to be in the low 20 percent's but growth for the first half of the year should be in the range of full year expectations.
- 2015 adjusted EBITDA loss margin is expected to improve to the (9) to (10) percent range, after incorporating increased costs associated with accelerating the launch of a second of our four announced programs to January 2015 and adding a fifth program launch later in the year.
- Year-over-year adjusted EBITDA improvement will likely be dampened in the first half of the year due to costs associated with a second January program launch.
Non-GAAP Measures
To supplement the company's consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, we use adjusted net loss and adjusted EBITDA loss, which are non-GAAP financial measures. Additionally, we calculate adjusted net loss per common share using pro forma weighted average common shares.
Adjusted net loss is defined as net loss attributable to common stockholders before preferred stock accretion, the warrant expense portion of net interest income (expense), and stock-based compensation expense. Some or all of these items may not be applicable in any given reporting period.
Adjusted EBITDA loss is defined as net loss before net interest income (expense), taxes, depreciation and amortization, and stock-based compensation expense. Some or all of these items may not be applicable in any given reporting period.
Pro forma weighted average common shares are defined as the company's weighted average common shares outstanding calculated as though the conversion of preferred shares to common shares, which occurred upon the closing of our initial public offering, had occurred on January 1, 2013.
The principal limitation of these non-GAAP financial measures is that they exclude significant expenses that are required by GAAP to be recorded in the company's financial statements. These non-GAAP measures are key metrics the company's management uses to compare the company's performance to that of prior periods for trend analyses, and for budgeting and planning purposes. These measures also provide useful information to investors relating to 2U's financial condition and results of operations. These financial measures are not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. In addition, these financial measures may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies, limiting their usefulness for comparison purposes.
For more information on 2U's non-GAAP financial measures and reconciliations of such measures to the nearest GAAP measures, please see the reconciliation tables on the last page of this press release under the heading "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures". 2U urges investors to review these reconciliations and not to rely on any single financial measure to evaluate the company's business.
Conference Call Information
What: | 2U, Inc.'s third quarter 2014 financial results conference call |
When: | Tuesday, November 4, 2014 |
Time: | 5:00 p.m. ET |
Live Call: | (877) 359-9508 |
Webcast: | To access the live webcast, please visit http://investor.2u.com |
About 2U, Inc. (NASDAQ: TWOU)
2U partners with leading colleges and universities to deliver the world's best online degree programs so students everywhere can reach their full potential. Our cloud-based software-as-a-service platform provides schools with the comprehensive operating infrastructure they need to attract, enroll, educate, support and graduate students globally. Blending live face-to-face classes, dynamic course content and real-world learning experiences, 2U's No Back Row™ approach ensures that every qualified student can experience the highest quality university education for the most successful outcome.
To learn more, go to 2U.com. Be sure to follow us on LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/company/2u), Twitter (http://twitter.com/2Uinc) and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/2u).
Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding our future business expectations, which are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements regarding future results of the operations and financial position of 2U, Inc., including financial targets, business strategy, and plans and objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. 2U has based these forward-looking statements largely on its estimates of its financial results and its current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that it believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, short term and long-term business operations and objectives, and financial needs as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to update these statements as a result of new information or future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results predicted, including, our failure to attract new colleges and universities as clients; our failure to acquire qualified students for our clients' programs; failure of clients' students to remain enrolled in their programs; loss, or material underperformance, of any one client; our ability to compete against current and future competitors; disruption to, or failure of, our platform; and data privacy or security breaches. These and other potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from the results predicted are more fully detailed under the heading "Risk Factors" in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 4, 2014. Moreover, 2U operates in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for 2U management to predict all risks, nor can 2U assess the impact of all factors on its business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements 2U may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this press release may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements.
Media Contact: Doug Gunster, Senior Director, Communications, 2U, Inc. (301) 892-4557 dgunster@2u.com
Investor Relations Contact: Alex Makler, Director of Investor Relations, 2U, Inc. (301) 892-4543 amakler@2u.com
2U, Inc. | |||
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets | |||
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts) | |||
December 31, 2013 | September 30, 2014 | ||
(unaudited) | |||
Assets | |||
Current assets: | |||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 7,012 | $ 80,558 | |
Accounts receivable, net | 1,835 | 10,038 | |
Advance to clients, current | 581 | — | |
Prepaid expenses | 1,763 | 3,246 | |
Total current assets | 11,191 | 93,842 | |
Property and equipment, net | 5,231 | 5,841 | |
Capitalized content development costs, net | 8,904 | 11,825 | |
Advance to clients, non-current | — | 1,413 | |
Other non‑current assets | 3,326 | 1,191 | |
Total assets | $ 28,652 | $ 114,112 | |
Liabilities, redeemable convertible preferred stock and stockholders' equity (deficit) | |||
Current liabilities: | |||
Accounts payable | $ 5,089 | $ 4,677 | |
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 12,025 | 14,720 | |
Deferred revenue | 1,266 | 2,100 | |
Refunds payable | 1,831 | 2,398 | |
Total current liabilities | 20,211 | 23,895 | |
Rebate reserve | 1,571 | 641 | |
Other non‑current liabilities | 847 | 649 | |
Total liabilities | 22,629 | 25,185 | |
Commitments and contingencies (Note 6) | |||
Redeemable convertible preferred stock: | |||
Redeemable convertible Series A preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 10,033,976 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2013; 0 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2014 | 12,384 | — | |
Redeemable convertible Series B preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 5,057,901 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2013; 0 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2014 | 22,210 | — | |
Redeemable convertible Series C preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 4,429,601 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2013; 0 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2014 | 32,405 | — | |
Redeemable convertible Series D preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 4,069,352 shares authorized, 3,979,730 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2013; 0 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2014 | 31,048 | — | |
Total redeemable convertible preferred stock | 98,047 | — | |
Stockholders' equity (deficit): | |||
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 0 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2013; 5,000,000 shares authorized, 0 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2014 | — | — | |
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 60,000,000 shares authorized, 7,629,133 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2013; 200,000,000 shares authorized, 40,346,564 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2014 | 8 | 40 | |
Additional paid‑in capital | 7,817 | 213,718 | |
Accumulated deficit | (99,849) | (124,831) | |
Total stockholders' equity (deficit) | (92,024) | 88,927 | |
Total liabilities, redeemable convertible preferred stock and stockholders' equity (deficit) | $ 28,652 | $ 114,112 | |
2U, Inc. | |||||||
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations | |||||||
(unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share amounts) | |||||||
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||
2013 | 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | ||||
Revenue | $20,499 | $28,407 | $58,324 | $79,483 | |||
Costs and expenses: | |||||||
Servicing and support | 5,842 | 6,598 | 16,516 | 19,846 | |||
Technology and content development | 5,113 | 5,726 | 12,944 | 17,218 | |||
Program marketing and sales | 15,412 | 16,971 | 40,877 | 48,922 | |||
General and administrative | 4,269 | 6,303 | 10,794 | 17,447 | |||
Total costs and expenses | 30,636 | 35,598 | 81,131 | 103,433 | |||
Loss from operations | (10,137) | (7,191) | (22,807) | (23,950) | |||
Other income (expense): | |||||||
Interest expense | (1) | (176) | 12 | (1,094) | |||
Interest income | 5 | 30 | 21 | 62 | |||
Total other income (expense) | 4 | (146) | 33 | (1,032) | |||
Loss before income taxes | (10,133) | (7,337) | (22,774) | (24,982) | |||
Income tax expense | — | — | — | — | |||
Net loss | (10,133) | (7,337) | (22,774) | (24,982) | |||
Preferred stock accretion | (87) | — | (261) | (89) | |||
Net loss attributable to common stockholders | $(10,220) | $(7,337) | $(23,035) | $(25,071) | |||
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted | $(1.38) | $(0.18) | $(3.11) | $(0.86) | |||
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted | 7,415,777 | 40,269,937 | 7,401,842 | 29,209,970 | |||
2U, Inc. | ||||
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | ||||
(unaudited, in thousands) | ||||
Nine Months Ended | ||||
2013 | 2014 | |||
Cash flows from operating activities | ||||
Net loss | $(22,774) | $(24,982) | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||
Depreciation and amortization | 3,082 | 4,240 | ||
Stock‑based compensation expense | 1,707 | 5,486 | ||
Change in the fair value of the Series D redeemable convertible preferred stock warrant prior to conversion | (18) | 695 | ||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||
Accounts receivable, net | (16,957) | (8,203) | ||
Advances to clients | 166 | (832) | ||
Prepaid expenses | (290) | (1,483) | ||
Other assets | (73) | 1,119 | ||
Accounts payable | 244 | (240) | ||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 5,096 | 3,624 | ||
Deferred revenue | 12,789 | 834 | ||
Refunds payable | 243 | 567 | ||
Rebate reserve | (294) | (930) | ||
Other liabilities | 38 | (18) | ||
Net cash used in operating activities | (17,041) | (20,123) | ||
Cash flows from investing activities | ||||
Expenditures for property and equipment | (2,116) | (2,535) | ||
Capitalized content development cost expenditures | (3,561) | (5,299) | ||
Other investing activities | — | (21) | ||
Net cash used in investing activities | (5,677) | (7,855) | ||
Cash flows from financing activities | ||||
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of offering costs | — | 100,302 | ||
Proceeds from exercise of stock options | 112 | 1,222 | ||
Repurchase of common shares | (178) | — | ||
Proceeds from issuance of Series D redeemable convertible preferred stock, net of issuance costs | 4,994 | — | ||
Net cash provided by financing activities | 4,928 | 101,524 | ||
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | (17,790) | 73,546 | ||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 25,190 | 7,012 | ||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $7,400 | $80,558 | ||
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities | ||||
Accretion of issuance costs on redeemable convertible preferred stock | $261 | $89 | ||
Accrued capital expenditures | 107 | 114 | ||
Deferred offering costs included in accounts payable and accrued expenses | 568 | 59 | ||
Common stock granted in exchange for consulting services received | — | 55 | ||
2U, Inc. | ||||||||||||
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures | ||||||||||||
The following table presents a reconciliation of net loss attributable to common stockholders to adjusted net loss for each of the periods indicated: | ||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||
2013 | 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | |||||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||||||
Net loss attributable to common stockholders | $ | (10,220) | $ | (7,337) | $ | (23,035) | $ | (25,071) | ||||
Adjustments: | ||||||||||||
Changes in the fair value of the warrant to purchase Series D redeemable convertible preferred stock | (6) | - | (18) | 695 | ||||||||
Accretion of deferred preferred stock offering costs | 87 | - | 261 | 89 | ||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | 639 | 2,247 | 1,707 | 5,486 | ||||||||
Total adjustments | 720 | 2,247 | 1,950 | 6,270 | ||||||||
Adjusted net loss | $ | (9,500) | $ | (5,090) | $ | (21,085) | $ | (18,801) | ||||
The following table presents a reconciliation of net loss to adjusted EBITDA loss for each of the periods indicated: | ||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||
2013 | 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | |||||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||||||
Net loss | $ | (10,133) | $ | (7,337) | $ | (22,774) | $ | (24,982) | ||||
Adjustments: | ||||||||||||
Interest expense | 1 | 176 | (12) | 1,094 | ||||||||
Interest income | (5) | (30) | (21) | (62) | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization expense | 1,140 | 1,594 | 3,082 | 4,240 | ||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | 639 | 2,247 | 1,707 | 5,486 | ||||||||
Total adjustments | 1,775 | 3,987 | 4,756 | 10,758 | ||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA (loss) | $ | (8,358) | $ | (3,350) | $ | (18,018) | $ | (14,224) | ||||
Key Financial Performance Metrics | |||||||||||||||
Full Course Equivalent Enrollments | |||||||||||||||
The following table sets forth the full course equivalent enrollments and average revenue per full course equivalent enrollment in our clients' programs for the last eight quarters. | |||||||||||||||
Q4 '12 | Q1 '13 | Q2 '13 | Q3 '13 | Q4 '13 | Q1 '14 | Q2 '14 | Q3 '14 | ||||||||
Full course equivalent enrollments in our clients' programs | 6,332 | 7,650 | 6,950 | 7,673 | 9,065 | 9,809 | 9,331 | 10,389 | |||||||
Average revenue per full course equivalent enrollment in our clients' programs | $ 2,593 | $ 2,501 | $ 2,689 | $ 2,672 | $ 2,736 | $ 2,685 | $ 2,652 | $ 2,734 | |||||||
Platform Revenue Retention Rate | ||||||||||||
The following table sets forth our platform revenue retention rate for the periods presented, as well as the number of programs included in the platform revenue retention rate calculation. | ||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||
2013 | 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | |||||||||
Platform revenue retention rate | 152.8 | % | 124.6 | % | 145.4 | % | 117.3 | % | ||||
Number of programs included in comparison (1) | 4 | 8 | 4 | 4 | ||||||||
(1) Reflects the number of programs operating both in the reported period and in the prior year comparative period. | ||||||||||||
2U, Inc. Program List | ||||||
University | School | 2U-Enabled Program | Program Launch Date | Program Offerings | ||
University of Southern California | Rossier School of Education | USC Rossier Online | April 2009 | Master of Arts in Teaching | ||
University of Southern California | School of Social Work | MSW@USC | October 2010 | Master of Social Work | ||
Georgetown University | School of Nursing and Health Studies | Nursing@Georgetown | March 2011 | Master of Science in Nursing | ||
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Kenan-Flagler Business School | MBA@UNC | July 2011 | Master of Business Administration | ||
Washington University in St. Louis | School of Law | @WashULaw | January 2013 | Master of Laws in U.S. Laws | ||
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | School of Government | MPA@UNC | January 2013 | Master of Public Administration | ||
American University | School of International Service | International Relations Online | May 2013 | Master of Arts in International Relations | ||
The George Washington University | Milken Institute School of Public Health | MPH@GW | June 2013 | Master of Public Health | ||
Simmons College | School of Nursing and Health Sciences | Nursing@Simmons | October 2013 | Master of Science in Nursing | ||
University of California, Berkeley | School of Information | DataScience@Berkeley | January 2014 | Master of Information and Data Science | ||
The George Washington University | Milken Institute School of Public Health | MHA@GW | April 2014 | Executive Master of Health Administration | ||
Simmons College | School of Social Work | SocialWork@Simmons | July 2014 | Master of Social Work | ||
Simmons College | School of Nursing and Health Sciences | Nursing@Simmons (2) | November 2014 | RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing | ||
Syracuse University | Martin J. Whitman School of Management | MBA@Syracuse | January 2015 | Master of Business Administration | ||
Southern Methodist University | Interdisciplinary curriculum: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts | DataScience@SMU | January 2015 | Master of Science in Data Science | ||
Northwestern University | The Family Institute | Counseling@Northwestern | March 2015 | Master of Arts in Counseling | ||
Syracuse University | S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications | Communications@Syracuse (3) | Mid 2015 | Master of Communications | ||
Italics indicate a second 2U-enabled program in a degree vertical. | ||||||
(1) Our client Tecnológico de Monterrey will deliver a joint degree with Washington University in St. Louis. This degree is reflected under the @WashULaw program. | ||||||
(2) We consider this program to be a separate program from the first Nursing@Simmons program because it targets students who do not hold a bachelor's degree prior to admission. | ||||||
(3) Subject to the program receiving university, state and accreditation approvals. | ||||||
SOURCE 2U, Inc.
