The Founders of Upwork: A Look at Elance, oDesk, and the Merging of Two Platforms

"Upwork was formed in 2015 through the merger of two prominent companies: Elance and oDesk. This merger brought together a rich history of online freelancing, operating under two separate names before combining into a single platform for the global freelance market.

The History of Elance

Elance, one of the earliest players in the online freelancing space, was founded in 1999 by Beerud Sheth and Srini Anumolu. They saw a niche in connecting businesses with independent contractors, providing a platform where freelancers could showcase their skills and get hired by clients looking for specific tasks or projects. Elance quickly became a major player in the industry, offering a wide range of services and attracting a diverse community of both clients and freelancers.

The Origins of oDesk

On the other side of the fence stood oDesk, founded by Odysseas Tsatalos and Stratis Karamanlakis in 2003. oDesk started off as a platform for businesses and individuals to hire developers, data analysts, and other IT professionals. Over time, it expanded to cover a broader range of freelance services, including writing, graphic design, and translation.

The Merger and Upwork

Elance and oDesk announced their merger on December 18, 2013, to create Elance-oDesk. This merger was aimed at consolidating the two giants of the freelance market, combining their strengths to provide a more comprehensive and integrated platform. The combined entity was rebranded as Upwork in 2015, marking a new chapter in the history of online freelancing.

With the launch of Upwork, the oDesk platform was upgraded and rebranded. The company announced that the Elance platform would be phased out within a couple of years, resulting in a single freelance marketplace. This move was designed to provide a more seamless and efficient experience for both platforms' users, as well as for service providers and clients.

The Leadership and Vision

The founders of Upwork are Stratis Karamanlakis and Odysseas Tsatalos, who, along with Beerud Sheth, co-founded Elance, which was later integrated with oDesk under the name of Upwork. Stratis Karamanlakis serves as the CTO and Vice President of Development, bringing his technical expertise to the company. Odysseas Tsatalos, as another co-founder and CTO, shares responsibility for driving the technical and strategic evolution of the platform.

Challenges and Criticisms

Despite the initial excitement around the merger and rebranding, one customer's experience serves as a cautionary tale. They describe their experiences with a client from India on the platform, where they contracted a project for 3,000 USD with four milestones worth 900 USD each. The delays in communication and payment processing eventually led to a loss of 2,700 USD, as Upwork's protection policies, which cover clients only for 30 days after payment, left them vulnerable. The customers' frustration highlights certain challenges and limitations within the platform, particularly regarding customer protection and refund policies.

As the world of online freelancing continues to evolve, Upwork strives to address these issues while providing a robust and user-friendly platform for freelancers and clients alike. The success of Upwork is not just a testament to its founders but also a reflection of the ongoing journey to create a more connected and efficient global marketplace for freelance services.