GigRove is something of a cross between CouchSurfing and a skill-based barter networks like Simbi. Using the service, freelancers can find a business or startup requiring their skills–whether that is graphic design, programming, or even office repairs–and in exchange for those skills, get access to free accommodation (and sometimes food) from the business. That way, those with competencies that translate well to a freelance workstyle have the opportunity to travel the world and meet inspiring new people all on an entrepreneur’s favorite kind of budget: cheap as hell. Meanwhile, startups are given a novel way to access global talent and get work done for a startup’s favorite kind of budget: cheap as hell (with plenty of shared space).
The service is active in over 130 countries worldwide at the moment. In each of those countries, businesses post gigs based on some particular task they want to get accomplished. Right now, for instance, there’s a Colorado startup looking for someone to handle their social media accounts. There’s also a couple in Norway offering meals and lodgings in exchange for assistance in building a website for their clothing business (“No required working time, but it would be cool if you could finish it within one month”). Apart from the project itself, the listings mentions all accommodation details; that includes the type of home, number of meals provided, and amenities (Internet, air-conditioning, washing machine, etc.).
See a job for which you think you might be a good fit? GigRove lets freelancers apply for gigs by getting in touch directly with the business or individual who posted the opportunity. But there will likely be a few freelancers competing for the spot, which is why the platform has members create profiles. Each profile contains information such as academic background, skills, and work experience. For people who were previously hired through the site, their profiles might also contain reviews. Startups can take a look at freelancers’ profiles along with the messages they receive from them (which serve as a sort of cover letter) to choose the best candidate for the job.
For Startup Hosts, it costs nothing to upload listings to the GigRove website. For traveling freelancers, GigRove is basically free to use, but they have a freemium model to monetize operations at the moment. The free tier gives access to a limited number of listings and allows only a certain number of skills to be displayed on user profiles. For $19 a month or $190 a year, users are given access to all listing and can boast as many skills as they would like.
Given its worldwide reach, the ever-expanding population of ambitious entrepreneurs, and just how much people enjoy budget travel, GigRove is sure to help feed the roving freelancer community, one which seems to be steadily growing. The only thing they might bump into is Visa requirements for people “working” abroad, though nobody is actually exchanging money, and the site is really just a first-touch marketplace. Whatever–like a few pesky regulations ever got in the way of an entrepreneur with a severe case of wanderlust.
Prateek Jose is a writer and engineering undergrad from India with an unhealthy obsession for obscure historical trivia. Conversations about absurdist fiction and the technological singularity make his day. He’s already uploading parts of his brain to servers by writing for websites such as this one.
- Apple September 2018 Event: iPhone XS, XS Max, and More - September 13, 2018
- Apple September 2018 Event: What’s in Store - September 11, 2018
- E3 2018 – The Highlights - June 15, 2018
Here you are thinking of ONE bump in the road. I will wager a guess there will be many more. There is always some sort of regulation or policy that is being violated with something like this.
I like to surf on the couch 🙂 This is pretty cool. Even though you are going to compete for jobs, it is nice to see that you can get out and about to a new location and still use your skills to help other companies.
I get that other freelancers are going to be there to compete and maybe that is a good reason to bone up on your resume for this type of thing since that is what will sell you over another guy.
Its a good way to keep the marketplace fair as well.
Growth in this kind of market is quite slow, but when you are a freelancer, you are just trying to get your feet out there for more people to see. Its a good thing!
There is nothing wrong with a little “I’ll scratch your back if you scratch mine” type of thing to help a freelancer out. I but there are many that would take a trip to find more work if they knew they were going to be staying for nothing.