Upwork Launches Contingent Workforce Solution Lifted

Upwork has launched Lifted, a wholly owned subsidiary designed to help enterprises integrate contingent workforce management.

Lifted unifies all hiring tools enterprises need to source, hire, manage, and pay talent across various contingent workforce models, from independent contractors and staff augmentation to agent of record (AOR), employer of record (EOR), and statement of work (SOW).

“Most contingent workforce providers force a tradeoff between flexibility and compliance, speed and scale, or digital ease and enterprise rigor,” Hayden Brown, president and CEO of Upwork, said in a blog post, adding: “By enabling companies to hire globally, compliantly, seamlessly, and at scale, Lifted refuses to compromise.”

The new platform combines Upwork’s massive talent pool with strategic acquisitions to equip enterprises with the talent and technology they need to manage contingent projects successfully and at scale. Lifted’s operating system is powered by Bubty, a modular workforce management platform it recently acquired. Lifted’s contingent workforce management capabilities are also strengthened by recently acquired Ascen, the tech-driven EOR platform designed for fast, compliant global hiring.

“Lifted is the next chapter in our commitment to serving the evolving needs of the world’s largest companies, driving a fundamental shift in how businesses grow, innovate, and access the critical skills they need to compete,” Brown emphasized.

While Lifted is designed for enterprises, it opens doors for freelancers to collaborate with leading global brands across full-time, part-time, and project-based roles – all while Lifted handles onboarding, contracts, and payments. Freelancers can also access optional benefits, like health insurance and tax support.

In 2023, Upwork introduced solutions for full-time hiring, evolving from a freelance platform into an all-encompassing talent solution. The service was driven by the rising demand from businesses looking for flexible, dependable talent to bridge skill gaps amid COVID-related layoffs, economic uncertainty, and the ongoing AI revolution.

In the same year, Upwork introduced the AI Hub, a dedicated space for businesses to connect with specialized AI talent. Today, the platform has grown into the world’s largest pool of AI experts, counting over 250,000 specialists worldwide.

By adding support for various contingent hiring models through its recently launched subsidiary Lifted, Upwork is further solidifying its position as an all-in-one talent and workforce management platform.