How Uber Beat the Skeptics and Became Profitable

Uber reported its first annual profit on Feb. 7. It was a milestone for the San Francisco-based ride-hailing and food delivery company, which was once infamous for hemorrhaging cash as it sought growth at all costs. Not only is Uber now solidly in the black, but it also was recently admitted into the S&P 500, and on Feb. 14 its board authorized a plan to return as much as $7 billion to shareholders.

In other words, the former poster child for Silicon Valley disruption appears to be all grown up. Here’s a look back at the distinct eras in the company’s bumpy path to profitability.