Dive into the world of French Tech and discover Collective, the platform that is revolutionizing the lives of freelancers! What similarities with LinkedIn? What advantages for independent workers? Follow the guide to learn everything about this new phenomenon!
In the world of start-ups, adaptability is crucial. When a model does not yield the expected results, it is essential to know how to change course. This is exactly what Collective has done. This start-up, initially focused on creating collectives of independent workers and monetizing them for businesses, has recently taken a strategic turn three years after its creation.
A New Start with a Social Network
Collective is reinventing itself by developing a true social network specifically dedicated to freelancers. According to Jean de Rauglaudre, co-founder of the start-up, although collectives still have room to grow with large accounts, the potential of freelancers is enormous. This initiative comes at a time when professional social networks are booming, with LinkedIn recently surpassing one billion users.
Objectives and Functions
Collective aims to provide freelancers with tools to:
- Strengthen their network
- Communicate effectively
- Land projects
- Utilize collaboration and billing tools
The last item directly stems from the historical offering of the start-up and represents a significant added value for its users.
Testing Period and Monetization Strategies
Currently, Collective’s social network is in a beta-testing phase with about 500 recruiters and 20,000 registered freelancers. The specificity of this model lies in the absence of a commission on completed projects, unlike platforms like Malt or Le Hibou. Revenues primarily come from paid tools for freelancers and premium offers for recruiters.
Creating a Strong Community
The success of a social network depends on its ability to attract a sufficient number of users to subsequently monetize this audience. Therefore, Collective is banking on word-of-mouth and marketing investments to increase its user volume. The start-up raised 7 million euros in 2022 and still has financial reserves to continue its development.
Challenges Ahead
One of the main challenges for Collective will be managing the moderation of content and exchanges among members. Currently, the start-up monitors interactions without real moderation, an approach that may need to evolve as the community grows. Furthermore, Collective plans to expand into cities favored by freelancers like Barcelona and is considering a new fundraising round to support its development.
Collective is well-positioned to become a major player in the freelancer space and could represent a serious alternative to LinkedIn. The potential is there, but the path is still long and fraught with challenges. With a clear vision and wise investments, the start-up could well succeed in its quest.
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