Translations

HOPWORK France, freelancer (self-employed) supply and demand

1. Organizational Governance

Strategy and organization

Sector Telecommunication, Medias, ITC

Year 2016

Country France

Transmitter

Context

The number of freelancers (self-employed) in France increased by 85% from 2004 to 2013, reaching 700,000 persons. Co-founded in 2013 by Vincent Huguet, current CEO together with 2 developer engineers, Hopwork is a platform which connects companies looking for freelancers to carry out specific assignment with freelancers (self-employed) who are registered on the site.

Objectives

• Creating a secure and centralized platform for freelancer supply and demand

• Reducing the information asymmetry (including search time) between supply and demand

• Improving the status of freelancers which is not yet fully appreciated in France.

APPROACH

The business model is simple:

• Freelancers register on the site for free; each "hopworker" presents their profile and skills (e.g. developer, project manager, editor, web marketing ...)

• Companies can consult the site free of charge and find suitable freelancers needed for their assignment; they pay for the assignment on account when they find the suitable profile

• Hopwork is paid 10% on the assignment contracted and guarantees the immediate payment to the freelancer at the end of the assignment.

Freelancers are promoted

• At the end of the assignment, corporate customers are asked to rate their "freelancer" and this scoring appears on the website, showcasing the best rated freelancers.

• Friendly meetings are offered to freelancers: picnics, drinks ...

• The site makes it possible to find assignments faster and guarantees immediate remuneration.

Best Practice identified by the World Forum for a Responsible Economy in 2013 and updated in 2016

CONTRIBUTION TO COMPANY PERFORMANCE

Turnover: + 15% on monthly basis; raising of funds amounting to 1.5 million in 2015
30% of CAC40 companies consult Hopwork; 17000 user companies
Forecast for expansion in other European countries

Benefits

A community of more than 30,000 freelancers, with access to more assignments
Contribution to the recognition of the status of self-employed workers (self-employed) which is still in need of improvement (access to credit, unstable corporate/income outlook).