Top 10 Freelance marketplaces

Latest news about Freelance marketplaces

2021. South African talent marketplace OfferZen gets $5.2M



South African tech talent marketplace OfferZen has successfully raised €4.5 million ($5.07 million) in its Series A funding round. OfferZen operates as a platform where software developers and engineers can register as candidates, and they undergo a curation process by OfferZen to be showcased to companies seeking tech talent. These developers remain active on the marketplace for a period of four weeks, during which OfferZen ensures they receive inquiries from various companies. Importantly, OfferZen exclusively focuses on connecting developers with permanent job opportunities, as stated by the company.


2021. Fiverr acquires freelance management toolset Stoke Talent for $95M



Following LinkedIn's recent launch of Service Marketplace, a direct competitor to freelance platforms like Fiverr and Upwork, Fiverr has announced an acquisition that demonstrates its commitment to enhancing user experience by incorporating additional features. Fiverr will acquire Stoke Talent, a platform enabling companies to manage their freelance teams, for $95 million. Stoke's toolset offers functionalities such as onboarding new freelancers, facilitating payments through the platform, and tracking overall freelance budgets. The objective is to develop tools that foster stronger integration between employers and Fiverr's freelance marketplace. Stoke will continue to operate independently, but the products will be integrated to allow freelancers hired via Fiverr to onboard and receive payments through Stoke. Additionally, this acquisition aims to deepen Fiverr's involvement in how companies collaborate with freelancers, regardless of whether they are sourced through Fiverr or not.

2021. LinkedIn rolls out its freelance services marketplace


LinkedIn is expanding its presence in the freelance job market with the introduction of its Service Marketplace. This new feature enables individuals to promote their skills for short-term projects, directly competing with platforms like Fiverr and Upwork for sourcing talented knowledge workers. The launch of the freelancer platform is accompanied by other significant updates from LinkedIn, reflecting the company's efforts to adapt to emerging job market trends and changes in the way we work. These updates include enhanced search filters for finding permanent jobs that are remote, hybrid, or on-site. Users can now indicate their job preferences, such as remote work, through the "Open to Work" indicator to invite recruiters to connect. Additionally, job seekers can now review companies' vaccination requirements as part of their evaluation process, if the employer has provided that information.


2021. Malt raises $97M for its freelance marketplace for developers



Malt, an online platform that facilitates connections between developers, data scientists, designers, project managers, and other professionals in related fields, has secured €80 million in funding. With a community of 250,000 freelancers, the company has become a go-to resource for 30,000 businesses seeking talent for fixed-term job opportunities. Renowned companies such as Unilever, Lufthansa, Bosch, BlaBlaCar, L’Oréal, and Allianz rely on Malt to fulfill their workforce requirements, and the platform also collaborates with established consultancies like McKinsey to assist in talent acquisition for various projects. Since its establishment in 2013, Malt has facilitated approximately €300 million worth of business transactions.


2021. Worksome pulls $13M into its high skill freelancer talent platform



Worksome, an online platform that connects freelancers seeking professional roles with employers in need of efficient tools to discover and manage freelance talent, has successfully concluded a Series A funding round, raising $13 million. Worksome primarily focuses on assisting medium to large companies that actively engage with a minimum of 20 freelancers simultaneously, aiming to fill vacancies within their teams rather than outsourcing entire projects. The platform has gained significant traction among large enterprise customers who have traditionally relied on Managed Service Providers (MSPs) to oversee and compensate external workforces. In fact, Worksome envisions disrupting employment agency giants like Randstad, Adecco, and Manpower, as it identifies them as prime targets for innovation and transformation within the industry.


2021. Creatively raises $5M to help creative professionals showcase and find work



Creatively, a dynamic startup dedicated to assisting designers, photographers, illustrators, and other creative professionals in showcasing their work and discovering new career opportunities, has successfully raised $5 million in funding. The platform has amassed an impressive community of over 125,000 talented creatives, while attracting the attention of 650 companies, including renowned brands such as HBO, Tom Ford, SKIMS, Nickelodeon, Ro, CNN, and The Gap, who have utilized the platform for their recruitment needs. Recognizing the growing demand for businesses to directly engage with creative talent, Creatively bridges the gap by providing a platform where qualified and diverse professionals can be easily discovered. The remarkable growth achieved by Creatively in less than a year is truly commendable, and we are thrilled to join forces with this exceptional team. Together, we look forward to shaping the future of the creative industry.


2021. Temp staffing service Jobandtalent takes $120M



Spain's digital temporary staffing agency startup, Jobandtalent, has secured a substantial €100 million ($120 million) in Series D funding. Jobandtalent operates a dual-sided platform that effectively connects temporary workers with employers seeking casual labor in sectors such as ecommerce, warehousing, logistics, and manufacturing. The platform utilizes advanced learning algorithms to swiftly match temporary workers with suitable job opportunities, significantly expediting the hiring process. Additionally, Jobandtalent provides employers with a comprehensive CRM solution that incorporates real-time analytics to monitor workforce performance. This functionality enables employers to track metrics such as workplace satisfaction, attrition rates, and attendance, facilitating the optimization of workforce management strategies.


2021. Collective launches a SaaS marketplace for freelancer teams



Freelancers who thrive in team settings are the primary focus of Collective, a French startup introducing a SaaS marketplace. Collective argues that the phenomenon of indie collectives has gained momentum, particularly due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a time of increased uncertainty, companies seek more resilient and adaptable options. For skilled independent workers who operate in teams, Collective offers an enticing proposition. It combines the advantages of working in an agency by automating various back-office functions such as proposals, invoices, contracts, and payments through its SaaS platform. This allows freelancers to enjoy the flexibility of selecting projects and clients while still benefiting from the supportive infrastructure typically associated with agency work.


2021. Iziwork raises $43M for its temporary work platform



French startup Iziwork has secured $43 million in funding for its platform dedicated to enhancing the temporary employment sector. Iziwork operates a marketplace for temporary work, with over 2,000 companies utilizing the platform in France and Italy. The app has attracted 800,000 candidates, providing them with access to job opportunities. Think of it as a modernized, technology-driven version of traditional employment agencies. Candidates can easily register through the mobile app, receiving personalized recommendations based on their profiles (with 95% of assignments filled in under four hours). Additionally, the app facilitates the management of all necessary documents.


2021. Jobandtalent raises $108M for its workforce-as-a-service platform



Jobandtalent, a digital temp staffing agency, has secured an additional €88 million in its Series C funding round. The company operates a dual-sided platform that connects temporary workers with employers seeking regular casual labor in sectors such as transport and logistics. Jobandtalent operates in seven markets across Europe and LatAm, namely Spain, U.K., Germany, France, Sweden, Mexico, and Colombia. Over the past year, more than 80,000 workers have utilized the platform to secure temporary gigs, while over 750 employers, including XPO, Ocado, Saint Gobain, Santander, Bayer, eBay, Huawei, Ceva Logistics, and Carrefour, are enrolled to effectively manage a significant portion of their workforce on a recurring basis.


2020. WorkWhile raises $3.5M to bring more flexibility and benefits to hourly work



WorkWhile operates as a unique marketplace that connects hourly workers with available shifts, allowing employers to fill their workforce gaps while workers have the flexibility to choose their desired working hours. By adopting this model, employers can easily scale their workforce based on demand, while workers have the freedom to select shifts according to their preferences. WorkWhile employs a thorough screening process, including one-on-one interviews, background checks, and cognitive science-based assessments, to ensure that they identify qualified and dependable applicants. While employers pay a service fee to WorkWhile, the platform remains free for users. Additionally, WorkWhile aims to establish a lasting relationship with its workforce by offering additional benefits such as sick leave credits earned through work and next-day payments directly to workers' debit cards.


2020. Braintrust is creating a fairer model for freelancers



Braintrust, a freelance technical and design talent network launched during the summer, has recently secured $18 million in funding. The unique aspect of Braintrust is that it solely charges the hiring companies, without requiring freelancers to pay for membership or project bidding. Additionally, Braintrust does not impose any fees on project payments made to freelancers. To incentivize network growth, the startup has introduced a cryptocurrency token known as Btrust, which rewards users for contributing to the network's expansion, such as through customer referrals or freelancer vetting. This token grants users a stake in shaping the future evolution of the network. Braintrust aims to enable companies to leverage freelancers for tasks that would typically be handled in-house. Notably, the startup's client portfolio already includes Nestlé, Pacific Life, Deloitte, Porsche, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and TaskRabbit.


2015. Freelance engineer marketplace Toptal now sells designers



Toptal, the platform dedicated to connecting companies with high-quality engineers, has expanded its services to include designers who have available time to assist companies in need. Toptal facilitates the entire freelance process by gathering job requirements from companies, negotiating budgets, and thoroughly vetting both parties involved to ensure a satisfactory experience for everyone. By ensuring the legitimacy of both the hirer and the freelancer, Toptal facilitates the perfect match. Rather than overwhelming the hirer with numerous resumes, Toptal presents an average of only 1.7 options for coders before the client finalizes a contract. The client pays Toptal, who then compensates the freelancer, while retaining the difference as profit. With an extensive pool of thousands of engineers, Toptal currently collaborates with around 2,000 clients ranging from established companies like J.P. Morgan and Pfizer to popular brands like Airbnb and Zendesk, as well as emerging startups.


2015. Elance-oDesk rebrands as Upwork



More than a year following the merger of Elance and oDesk, the combined freelancer powerhouse is undergoing a rebranding and will now be known as Upwork. The rebranding accompanies the launch of a new platform, which includes a mobile app, enhanced search algorithms, faster processing, and a real-time chat service. This chat service, described by Upwork's new CEO Stephane Kasriel as a "Slack killer," is completely free and open to anyone, not limited to those posting jobs or seeking work on the platform. Upwork plans to introduce additional features, such as integrations with GitHub, Google Drive, Jira, and video functionality, later this year, aiming to expand its collaboration capabilities. While the online job search market is highly competitive, with players like Indeed.com, Monster, CareerBuilder, LinkedIn, and others, Upwork is poised to assert its presence in the space, particularly for freelance opportunities.


2015. Freelancer.com acquired payment service provider Escrow.com



In a cash deal worth $7.5 million, online job marketplace Freelancer.com has acquired Escrow.com. As the name suggests, Escrow.com offers online escrow services for e-commerce platforms, holding payments for goods or services until a transaction is successfully finalized. This acquisition will provide Freelancer.com's expansive user base of 15 million with enhanced payment security. Freelancer.com already provides its own version of escrow services known as Milestone Payments, where funds from employers are held until they are released to freelancers upon service completion or dispute resolution. The purpose of holding payments is to provide employers with reassurance, especially considering the rapid growth of the platform through various acquisitions since 2011, as well as its initial public offering on the Australian Securities Exchange in 2013.


2015. Online freelance marketplace Freelancer.com goes Local



Freelancer.com is set to introduce a new marketplace for local service providers, including plumbers, cleaners, cooks, couriers, and others, to offer their on-demand services in their respective areas. The launch will initially take place in Australia, with plans for global expansion in the current quarter. The concept revolves around connecting individuals seeking offline services with relevant and available professionals in close proximity through Freelancer.com's website or mobile app, utilizing location-based matching. The company anticipates that many individuals already engaged in online work on the platform will be able to apply their skills in offline settings as well. For instance, a photographer or designer could be hired to capture an event, while other professionals, such as copywriters, might take on tasks like staffing a reception desk at a party or delivering parcels in their spare time. In terms of the commission structure, Freelancer.com will adopt the same model used for its online jobs, with a 10% transaction fee going to the platform for each local service transaction.


2014. Recruitment giant Randstad invests in freelancer marketplace Twago



Randstad, one of the leading global recruitment firms, has made a significant investment in the European freelancer marketplace known as Twago. This investment serves as Randstad's entry point into the realm of online freelance recruitment. Twago, on the other hand, views Randstad as an ideal partner to expand its presence in the more conventional territory where the Dutch recruitment company holds a strong presence across Europe. Twago specializes in facilitating remote freelance work that can be accomplished using a computer, such as translation, design, coding, and other similar tasks. It operates within a similar domain as Elance and oDesk, but unlike these American companies, Twago is willing to engage in transactions involving languages other than English and handle various European currencies.


2013. Elance and oDesk want to create Amazon for freelance



(From left to right: Gary Swart, oDesk and Fabio Rosati, Elance) ***