Time for our next step

August 24th, 2010 by Harri Holopainen

It is often said that timing is everything. While this is probably an exaggeration, history is full of great ideas that didn’t work out because the time wasn’t right (just ask Galileo, Aristotle or Van Gogh).

Recently we told you how Microtask’s journey was beginning to gather momentum, with success at the Nordic Tech Tour.

Although only a short while ago, things can change quickly – especially in the world of tech start-ups. Back then double-dipping was still associated with chocolate and ice-cream rather than recession. Now instead of talking up success, when the media mentions new companies, it is more likely to discuss how little funding is available. On both sides of the Atlantic, the economic outlook seems gloomy.

The sun also rises
It is against this backdrop that we take extra pleasure in announcing our agreement with the highly regarded venture capital firm Sunstone Capital. Along with seed funding, this agreement means we will now have the considerable expertise of serial entrepreneur and all round great guy Nikolaj Nyholm on our board. (For extra details, check out this article from the ever-vigilant ArcticStartup).

In our opinion, timing could not be better. Despite gloom in much of the economy, momentum in the digital work market is rapidly building. Several prominent start-ups have recently raised their first venture capital financing rounds, including CloudCrowd and Crowdflower.

Rather than view them as a threat, we believe these US based start-ups will help us to develop the global market (both in terms of supply of digital labor and demand for it). With the current momentum, we think 2011 will be the year crowdsourcing goes mainstream, providing new opportunities for millions of people around the world.

Leaving aside the crystal ball, we are now working flat out with our first customers. Later this fall we are planning to announce more exciting news. Until then, if you are an engineer and want to help shape the future, we are now recruiting. There has never been a better time to get on board!

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