YouLend, a leading global embedded financing platform, today announced a landmark partnership with Upwork Inc., the world’s human and AI-powered work marketplace, aimed at expanding access to financing for freelancers, agencies and microbusiness owners across the United States. 

Bridging the Funding Gap for the Underserved Freelance Workforce
According to Upwork’s Future Workforce Index 2025, the U.S. freelance economy now comprises more than 20 million skilled professionals and collectively generated $1.5 trillion in earnings in 2024.

Many of these independent professionals are in need of working capital solutions as they run operations, purchase tools and hire talent regularly.

However, despite their growing economic power and entrepreneurial mindset, freelancers have long been underserved by traditional lenders, often being rejected from traditional banks due to the perception of having irregular employment and income from multiple projects. 

Upwork has long championed the freelancers whose talent and innovation fuel local economies and drive economic growth. Empowering these thriving microbusinesses is central to shaping a more dynamic, inclusive economy. To bridge the financing gap holding many back, YouLend and Upwork have joined forces to deliver instant, seamlessly embedded working capital directly within the Upwork Marketplace.

Real Impact: $1 Million Funded Since Launch 
Since its early ramp up period in the U.S. in June 2025, the partnership has already funded over $1 million to freelancers, empowering individuals such as Leticia Blanco, an accounting professional based in New Jersey, to unlock growth with the financing:

“The application process was straightforward and the funding itself has been instrumental in allowing us to expand our operations and hire new staff, which has directly led to the ability to take on larger projects.”

The partnership is also a natural extension of Upwork’s purpose to create opportunities in every era of work:

“Freelancers are running businesses, not side projects, and access to capital is often what helps them take on bigger opportunities,” said Mohit Kumar, General Manager, Payments & Trust at Upwork. “Partnering with YouLend lets us make financing more accessible to the talent who help power the Upwork platform.”

From YouLend’s perspective, the collaboration underscores its broader mission to make access to funding inclusive for microbusinesses:

“It is a pleasure partnering with Upwork to meet the unique financing needs of freelancers in the U.S.” said Ted Kirk, Country Head US at YouLend. “This partnership marks a major step forward in giving microbusinesses the capital and confidence they need to unlock larger opportunities and grow into the small businesses of tomorrow.”

Following strong early adoption in the U.S., YouLend and Upwork plan to expand the partnership to other markets in the future.