Introduction
Matt Barrie is an Australian entrepreneur who founded Freelancer.com, the world’s largest outsourcing and crowdsourcing marketplace. From freelancing work himself, Matt used his experience to create a platform that would connect businesses with talented individuals from around the world. Today, Freelancer.com has over 50 million registered users and is worth over $1 billion, making Matt Barrie’s net worth an impressive $240 million. In this article, we delve into his inspiring story of entrepreneurship and the incredible journey that led to his net worth.
The upbringing of Matt Barrie
Matt Barrie was raised in Sydney, Australia, where he grew up in a family where both his parents were scientists. Barrie’s parents encouraged their son to take on a career in science, but Matt had other ideas. From a young age, he was always fascinated by computers and was keen to learn more about the industry.
Education and Career Beginnings
Matt Barrie studied electrical engineering at the University of Sydney and began his career working for Accenture, a management consulting and professional services company. However, he soon discovered that the company’s culture was not for him, and he decided to leave to pursue a career in the tech industry.
Starting out – Creating Sensory Networks
Before launching Freelancer.com, Matt Barrie founded Sensory Networks, a technology research company focused on network security and performance. The company became a success and was later acquired by Intel Corporation in 2013. Afterward, Matt decided to focus on his passion for freelancing.
The Birth of Freelancer.com
Freelancer.com was born in 2009, inspired by Matt Barrie’s own freelance work and the need for businesses to connect with freelancers. The platform quickly gained popularity and grew exponentially. Soon, Freelancer.com began to compete with other online outsourcing marketplaces, with Freelancer.com emerging as the winner.
Freelancer.com Today
Today, Freelancer.com has more than 50 million registered users from over 247 countries, offering over 1000 categories of services. Freelancer.com has also become an incubator for many startups, which have been launched to complement its services.
Matt Barrie’s Philanthropy
Matt Barrie is also known for his philanthropic work. Barrie has donated millions of dollars to The University of Sydney to create an imaging academy, and he has also donated funds to help construct a children’s hospital. In 2018, Matt Barrie joined forces with fellow entrepreneur Mike Cannon-Brookes to back an initiative to combat plastic pollution named, “A Plastic Planet.”
Controversies
The success of Freelancer.com has not been without controversy. The platform has been vulnerable to cyber attacks, has been accused of promoting unethical behavior, and of violating intellectual property. However, Freelancer.com’s quick response and proactive measures in addressing these issues have helped to maintain its credibility.
Conclusion
Matt Barrie’s journey is incredible and inspiring. From humble beginnings in Australia, he built a multi-million-dollar empire that has made a difference in the lives of millions of people around the world. He has also contributed significantly to science, technology, and the environment. His story proves that with hard work, passion, and perseverance, anything is possible.
FAQs
Q1: What is Freelancer.com?
Freelancer.com is the world’s largest outsourcing and crowdsourcing marketplace, connecting businesses and talented individuals worldwide.
Q2: How many users does Freelancer.com have?
Freelancer.com has over 50 million registered users.
Q3: What did Matt Barrie do before Freelancer.com?
Matt Barrie founded Sensory Networks, a technology research company focused on network security and performance.
Q4: What philanthropic work has Matt Barrie done?
Matt Barrie has donated millions of dollars to The University of Sydney to create an imaging academy and has also donated funds to help construct a children’s hospital.
Q5: What controversies has Freelancer.com faced?
Freelancer.com has been accused of promoting unethical behavior, violating intellectual property, and facing cyber-attacks. However, their quick response and proactive measures in addressing these issues have helped to maintain its credibility.