Set expectations and structure
Agree:
- Deliverables
- Timeline
- Rate
- Acceptance criteria
- Work setup
- Several projects for a larger job, if you choose to split the work
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For startups
A freelance platform for startups in Europe
Need specialist expertise while your startup is building, testing or growing? Find talents across Europe, agree the terms directly and stay in control of the collaboration.
VirtualMasst is a freelance platform for startups Europe that connects employers with independent specialists and facilitates secure pre-funding and payment through Stripe.
Fit
When startups use independent talent
It fits when
- You need specialist expertise for a defined product, technical or business job
- Your existing team needs additional capacity around a launch or priority
- You need skills that are not yet part of the internal team
- You want direct access to the person doing the work
- You want to choose the talent, agree the terms and manage the collaboration directly
Prepare the starting point
Before posting your job, consider:
- What the startup needs to achieve
- Which expertise is required
- The expected outcome
- The timeline
- Whether the work setup is on site, remote or hybrid
You can refine the scope with the talent after starting a conversation.
Categories
Specialist freelancers for startups Europe
Three areas of expertise can support different stages of startup work. Choose the one closest to your job.
Technology & engineering
Find technical specialists for products, infrastructure, data and systems.
- Full-stack development
- Data engineering
- Data & analytics
- Cloud & data platforms
- DevOps & cloud infrastructure
- Cybersecurity
- AI automation & integration
- CRM integration
- Legal tech automation
Digital & growth
Find talents who can support digital products, visibility and customer acquisition.
- UX research & UX/UI design
- SEO & technical SEO
- Webflow & Framer development
- Video editing & motion design
- Performance marketing
- Lead generation
- Technical writing
Operations & support
Bring in operational support as the business becomes more complex.
- Executive & administrative assistance
- Business operations
- Customer support
- HR & recruitment support
- Finance & bookkeeping
- Procurement & supply chain
- Logistics & transport coordination
- Compliance & documentation
- Translation & localisation
The job
How to write a clear startup job
A clear job helps talents understand what your startup needs now and what result you expect.
01
Explain what you need to achieve
Start with the business, product or operational outcome rather than only a job title.
02
Describe the expected outcome
Outline the main deliverables, requirements and acceptance criteria.
03
Define the timeline and setup
Include important dates or deadlines.
State whether the work setup is:
- On site
- Remote
- Hybrid
Selection
How shortlisting and direct selection work
Explore the applicants
Review the experience, expertise, availability and portfolios of the talents who apply to your job.
Look at relevant experience
Consider how each talent’s previous work relates to the stage, systems or challenge your startup is working through. Further checks are the employer’s duty.
Start a conversation
Chat directly with the talents who interest you. Discuss the scope, timeline, deliverables, rate and work setup.
You choose and contract directly
Your startup chooses the talent. You agree the job directly, manage the collaboration and approve the completed work.
Pre-funding
How it worksPre-funding, projects and payment release
The employer pays upfront through Stripe, using a valid payment method.
Funds are held within the Stripe payment flow until release.
For larger jobs, the employer can decide to split the work into several projects and pre-fund each project.
When the agreed work is complete, the employer confirms completion and releases payment.
Responsibilities
View pricingFees and responsibilities
Employers pay the applicable platform charges when publishing and proceeding with a job. Current charges are listed on Pricing.
Employer
- Choose the talent
- Agree the scope, timeline, deliverables and rate
- Manage the collaboration
- Confirm when the agreed work is complete
- Release payment
Talent
- Deliver the agreed work
- Communicate directly with the employer
- Invoice the employer in their own name
VirtualMasst
- Connect employers with talents
- Review and approve talent profiles
- Facilitate pre-funding and payment through Stripe
Profile and payment checks
The VirtualMasst team reviews talent profiles. Stripe carries out identity, banking and compliance checks, including Know Your Customer (KYC). The employer remains responsible for any further checks needed before hiring.
Shortlisting
Build a strong shortlist
1
Compare relevant startup experience
Compare experience, approach, availability and rates against the same job. Relevant experience may come from startups, growing businesses or similar technical and commercial environments.
2
Chat with the talents
Start direct conversations with the people you are considering and explain the current context, priorities and expected outcome.
3
Choose the talent
Select the talent whose experience, availability and approach fit the job your startup needs completed.
The right approach
How collaboration unfolds
Talents can work alongside a startup team or independently, depending on the job.
Manage changing priorities
For longer-term needs, agree which parts of the job the talent owns and how changes to priorities, scope or timing will be discussed.
Work with the talent
The work setup can be on site, remote or hybrid. The employer manages the collaboration directly.
Complete the job and release payment
Review the completed deliverables against the agreed criteria. Confirm completion and release the payment. Funds are held within the Stripe payment flow until release.
Your next step
Post your startup job
Describe what your startup needs to achieve, the expertise required, expected outcome, timeline and work setup. Talents whose experience fits the job can apply.
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