In today’s Daily news highlights, San Francisco-based Upwork is making a big move. The company, known for connecting freelancers with businesses, is now stepping into the corporate staffing world. In a major update, Upwork announced two new acquisitions that will help build a stand-alone business for large companies — showing its serious interest in the enterprise job market.
Two Big Acquisitions to Support Growth
Upwork has officially bought Bubty, a platform for managing workforces, and also signed a deal to acquire Ascen, a global company that focuses on compliance and employer-of-record (EOR) services.
These companies will now become part of Upwork’s enterprise services, but under a new, separate business unit inside the Upwork brand. This means Upwork will now offer more than just freelance talent — it will provide solutions for full-time and contract workers through models like agent of record, employer of record, and staff augmentation.
Upwork is not just about freelancers anymore. It is moving into enterprise hiring with new tools and services for bigger companies.
Why This Move Matters
This is a major shift for Upwork. Until now, it mainly focused on independent contractors. But big companies have started asking for more flexible and complete staffing solutions.
Upwork CEO Hayden Brown said the time was right for this change. Many businesses want tools that offer both speed and compliance, and they don’t want to pick one over the other. With this new step, Upwork promises to deliver everything in one solution.
“We’re giving our customers all of the benefits they’ve been looking for,” Brown told TechCrunch.
Upwork’s Enterprise Strategy
- Upwork’s current enterprise clients already generate about $100 million in yearly revenue — a big part of the company’s total $750 million.
- But large companies have different needs than small businesses, especially when it comes to legal compliance, software tools, and global hiring.
- That’s why the enterprise side of the business will now operate as a stand-alone company, making it easier to grow, market, and serve enterprise clients better.
Why Bubty and Ascen?
According to Hayden Brown, Upwork reviewed over 100 companies before choosing Bubty and Ascen. The reason? Their technology fits well together and works smoothly with Upwork’s existing platform.
- Bubty helps companies manage large and complex workforces.
- Ascen focuses on global hiring laws, compliance, and payroll.
- Upwork tested both companies through pilot programs — alone and combined — and saw strong results.
What’s Next?
Upwork hasn’t revealed the full details yet. The brand name, pricing, and new services will be announced later in the year. But this move already signals a new direction for Upwork — one that goes beyond freelancers and targets the global workforce management market.
This change could also challenge traditional staffing agencies, giving businesses a faster and digital-first option for building their teams.
Breaking News: Upwork acquires Bubty and Ascen to build a new enterprise staffing business.
Business Shift: Moves beyond freelance jobs into corporate hiring and workforce management.
Enterprise Focus: New services include employer-of-record and staff augmentation tools.
