Upwork

Upwork is a global online platform that connects businesses and independent professionals, enabling them to collaborate remotely on various projects. Formerly known as Elance-oDesk, the platform was founded in 2015 through the merger of Elance and oDesk, two pioneering online freelancing platforms. Upwork is headquartered in Santa Clara, California, and operates as a marketplace that facilitates the exchange of services and expertise between clients and freelancers.

Upwork
URL	https://www.upwork.com
Slogan	Find Freelancers. Get Freelance Work.
Commercial?	Yes
Type	Freelance Marketplace
Language(s)	Multiple languages
Registration	Required
Owner	Upwork Inc.
Creator	Beerud Sheth, Srini Anumolu, Sanjay Noronha (Elance)
Launched	2015 (Merger of Elance and oDesk)
Current status	Active
Revenue	US$ 373.6 million (2020)

History

Founding and Merger

Elance was founded in 1999 by Beerud Sheth, Srini Anumolu, and Sanjay Noronha, with a vision to create an online platform that would allow businesses to hire freelancers for remote work. Similarly, oDesk (formerly known as Upwork) was founded in 2003 by Odysseas Tsatalos and Stratis Karamanlakis, aiming to connect freelancers and clients in a virtual work environment. Both platforms experienced rapid growth, pioneering the concept of remote freelancing.

In 2014, Elance and oDesk announced their merger, culminating in the creation of Upwork in 2015. This merger allowed the combined entity to leverage their strengths and resources to offer a more comprehensive and efficient platform for both clients seeking freelance talent and freelancers looking for remote work opportunities.

Platform Evolution

Upwork's platform provides a range of features and tools that facilitate the hiring and collaboration process. Clients can post job listings, specifying their project requirements, budget, and timeline. Freelancers can then submit proposals, outlining their skills, experience, and how they would approach the project. The platform also offers communication and project management tools to ensure smooth collaboration, including messaging, video conferencing, and file sharing.

To maintain quality and trust within the marketplace, Upwork incorporates a feedback and rating system. After completing a project, both clients and freelancers can provide feedback and rate each other, which helps build reputations and inform potential future collaborations.

Growth and Impact

Upwork's impact on the global workforce has been substantial. The platform has empowered millions of freelancers worldwide to find work opportunities that match their skills and expertise. It has also allowed businesses of all sizes to tap into a global talent pool without the limitations of geographical boundaries.

The company went public on the Nasdaq stock exchange in 2018 under the ticker symbol "UPWK," further highlighting its growth and significance in the gig economy and remote work landscape.

Services

Upwork offers a wide array of services spanning various industries and categories, including but not limited to:

• Web and Mobile Development: Freelancers with skills in web development, mobile app development, and software programming collaborate on projects ranging from building websites to creating custom software solutions.
• Design and Creative: This category includes graphic design, illustration, video editing, animation, and other creative services that help clients bring their visual ideas to life.
• Writing and Content Creation: Freelancers proficient in content writing, copywriting, editing, and blogging provide written materials to meet clients' marketing and informational needs.
• Marketing and Digital Strategy: Freelancers with expertise in digital marketing, social media management, search engine optimization (SEO), and online advertising help clients expand their online presence.
• Administrative Support: Virtual assistants and administrative professionals offer services such as data entry, customer support, email management, and appointment scheduling.

Controversies

Upwork has faced some controversies over the years, mainly related to its fee structure, customer support, and changes in policies. Freelancers have raised concerns about the platform's fees, which include a percentage of the earnings from each project. Additionally, there have been discussions about the competitive nature of bidding for projects, potentially leading to a race-to-the-bottom pricing mentality.

See Also

• Freelancing
• Gig Economy
• Remote Work

References

1. Upwork - About Us
2. Wikipedia - Upwork
3. Investopedia - Upwork IPO