Outsized, a leading talent-on-demand platform connecting top independent professionals with enterprises, has successfully closed its Series A funding round led by South African venture capital firm Knife Capital.
The round also saw participation from private investors, including Adrian Durham, founder of the global wealth management platform FNZ Group. This significant investment will fuel Outsized’s expansion across Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East and revolutionise the freelance market in these regions.
Outsized’s platform, powered by artificial intelligence, offers access to a curated network of 25,000 vetted, top-tier independent professionals. Unlike traditional talent platforms in growth markets, Outsized focuses on high-skilled, professional opportunities, enabling enterprises to swiftly select and contract consultants or assemble teams for vital projects.
Since its pilot in 2016, Outsized has witnessed remarkable year-on-year growth, becoming a key partner to numerous management consulting firms and major enterprises. Niclas Thelander, Founder & CMO of Outsized, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “This funding is a game-changer, paving the way for new, innovative solutions for our clients and talent.”
Knife Capital’s strategic investment
Knife Capital, known for propelling high-growth start-ups from Series A to successful exits, was drawn to Outsized due to its positive unit economics and consistent achievement of forecasts.
Keet van Zyl, co-founding partner at the Cape Town-based venture capital firm, stated, “The team has clearly demonstrated that they can execute and do justice to the scale of the opportunity. Most of the future growth in the global freelance platform market will come from the very geographies and segments of the market where Outsized is already a leader, so the business is well poised.”
Outsized plans to utilise the funding to strengthen its position in the $5 billion global freelance platform market. The investment will enable the company to expand its team in sales and engineering, enhance product development for enterprise clients and independent talent, and accelerate its growth in existing regions.
Johann van Niekerk, CEO of Outsized, emphasised the integration of AI technology into their product offerings, stating, “The integration of AI technology into Outsized’s product offerings and core operations is already underway, enhancing the user experience for both clients and talent.”
He also reiterated the company’s commitment to creating a fair, sustainable talent market in high-growth economies.
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