Malt is a leading European online marketplace that connects freelancers—primarily in tech, marketing, creative media, and consulting—with businesses needing specialized skills for projects.[1][3][4] It serves companies across industries by streamlining talent matching, project management, and payments, solving the challenges of slow, inefficient freelance hiring in a gig economy.[1][2][3] Malt generates revenue through commissions on completed projects, has raised over $134 million in funding, and boasts a community of 800,000 freelancers, with strong growth via acquisitions like Comatch and €80 million in 2021 funding.[3][4][5]
Founded in 2013 in Paris, France, by Vincent Huguet and Hugo Lassiège, Malt (formerly Hopwork) emerged to disrupt traditional hiring by creating an efficient platform for matching freelancers with businesses, tapping into the rising freelance market.[1][3][4][5] The duo aimed to simplify freelance contracting, which was often cumbersome, offering quick talent discovery amid growing demand for flexible work.[1][5] Early traction came from its user-friendly interface and verified reviews; pivotal moments include rebranding, international expansion (e.g., acquiring German platform Comatch), and major funding rounds totaling $97.7 million recently, fueling tech upgrades and growth.[3][4]
Malt rides the gig economy wave, where businesses increasingly blend full-time staff with freelancers for agility amid talent shortages and remote work trends post-pandemic.[1][3][5] Timing aligns with AI advancements enabling precise, scalable matching—previously days-long processes now take seconds—while market forces like rising freelance participation (e.g., in Europe) and demand for interim experts favor its model.[4][5] It influences the ecosystem by setting standards for open marketplaces, acquisitions expanding into Germany, and tools like Malt Strategy for management consultants, empowering companies to build flexible "superteams" and accelerating industry transformation.[3][5]
Malt is poised to dominate European freelance marketplaces through AI innovations and expansion, potentially growing its 800,000-talent network via more acquisitions and tech investments.[3][4][5] Trends like AI-driven talent assembly, hybrid teams, and ethical tech will shape its path, evolving it from a matching platform to a full workforce orchestration leader. As freelance demand surges, Malt's efficiency edge positions it to redefine how businesses access expertise, bridging freelancers and companies in an increasingly fluid labor market.
Malt has raised $36.0M in total across 3 funding rounds.
Malt's investors include 50 Partners, Aster Capital, Chausson Partners, ISAI, Serena Capital.
Malt has raised $36.0M across 3 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $29.0M Series B in February 2019.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 1, 2019 | $29.0M Series B | 50 Partners, Aster Capital, Chausson Partners, ISAI, Serena Capital | |
| Dec 1, 2016 | $5.0M Series A | 50 Partners, Aster Capital, Chausson Partners, ISAI, Serena Capital | |
| May 1, 2015 | $2.0M Seed | 50 Partners, Chausson Partners, ISAI |
