From prized startup to possible bankruptcy: WeWork’s tumultuous path

(Reuters) -WeWork on Friday said it would proceed with a one-for-forty reverse stock split in order to regain compliance with listing norms, days after it raised “substantial doubt” over its ability to continue operations.

Founded by Adam Neumann and Miguel McKelvey in 2010, WeWork had a tumultuous path to become a publicly-listed company.

Below is a timeline of notable WeWork developments since mid-2019:

Aug 2019 WeWork filed for an initial public offering (IPO)

and published detailed financial statements that

showed it lost almost $700 million in the first

half of 2019 while doubling its revenue.

Sept 2019 WeWork said it planned to proceed with an

investor roadshow for its IPO, despite concerns

over the valuation it could achieve in a listing.

Sept 2019 WeWork said it planned to list its stock on the

Nasdaq and announced changes to its corporate

governance, including curbs in the voting power

of CEO Adam Neumann.

Sep 2019 Co-founder Neumann agreed to resign as CEO,

bowing to pressure from some investors.

Sep 2019 WeWork filed to withdraw its IPO as the potential

valuation dropped as low as $10 billion, from $47

billion in January 2019.

Nov 2019 WeWork said it would lay off around 2,400

employees globally, as it sought to drastically

cut costs and stabilize its business.

Feb 2020 WeWork named real estate industry veteran Sandeep

Mathrani as its new CEO.

Mar 2021 WeWork disclosed in a presentation to prospective

investors that it had lost $3.2 billion in 2020.

Mar 2021 WeWork agreed to go public through a merger with

blank-check firm BowX Acquisition Corp

Oct 2021 WeWork went public via a SPAC deal.

May 2022 WeWork appointed Andre Fernandez as its chief

financial officer, replacing Benjamin Dunham.

Nov 2022 WeWork said it would exit about 40

underperforming U.S. locations.

Jan 2023 WeWork said it would cut about 300 roles globally

as part of efforts to cut back on underperforming

locations.

Mar 2023 WeWork struck deals to cut debt by about $1.5

billion and extend the date of some maturities,

in a bid to preserve cash as it felt the heat of

mass layoffs on its business.

Apr 2023 WeWork received a non-compliance notice from the

New York Stock Exchange, as its stock closed

below $1 on average over a consecutive 30

trading-day period.

May 2023 WeWork said CEO Sandeep Mathrani would step down,

effective May 26.

May 2023 CFO Andre Fernandez said he would resign on June

1, less than a year into the role.

Aug 2023 WeWork raised “substantial” doubt about its

ability to continue as a going concern, and said

three board members had stepped down.

Aug 2023 WeWork said it would proceed with a

one-for-forty

reverse stock split

to regain compliance with listing

requirements.