Thoughts on WeCommerce

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Hi, I noticed a few articles about WeCommerce having their IPO today. Dan or Mat, have either of you heard about this one? Apparently they are purchasing a number of companies as they build their business.

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Asked on December 14, 2020 12:33 pm
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Thanks Mat , I was having trouble finding it yesterday but think it may have been trading under BRAC and now it is under WE. Seems expensive, I will keep an eye on it. Interesting that they are entirely growing inside of the Shopify eco system.

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Posted by Ian McHardy
Answered on December 15, 2020 8:37 am
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Hi there,

WeCommerce went public via Capital Pool Company - we talked about a few others that have gone public this way. WeCommerce did not cross our radar, but I had a look at all the filings. It is very difficult to analyze the company has unlike a normal IPO, they aren't required to submit a prospectus and unlike an SPAC, there is no need for shareholders to approve the transaction.

From what I can tell, WeCommerce is on pace to grow revenue by approximately 20% this year - no idea what its growth rate was in years prior. Prior to being acquired, it only had 1 news release in 2020 - news of acquiring Foursixty Inc. From the filings, WeCommerce aims to to "acquire businesses (“Portfolio Companies”) within the Shopify ecosystem, including Software as a Service (“SaaS”) businesses. Generally, these businesses build digital goods such as Apps and Themes and run Agencies that support Shopify merchants." In essence it is trying to be a leading consolidator in the Shopify partner ecosystem.

Kind of interesting business model, but is in effect a holding company. They are pretty much relying on the Shopify ecosystem to grow and making acquisitions within that ecosystem.

From my calculations the company generated $17.3M in the last twelve months and has a market cap of $554M based on today's closing price. Of note, it issued shares at $7.00 in the CPC IPO process so it essentially doubled from the IPO price on open. That gives it a P/S ratio of 32 - which isn't cheap. I would have said the IPO looks decently valued, but now it looks expensive. Granted I know nothing of expected growth rates moving forward.

Mat

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Posted by Mathieu Litalien
Answered on December 14, 2020 5:16 pm