Upwork Inc. (Nasdaq: UPWK), the leading human and AI-powered work marketplace, has announced plans to establish its first international operational hub in Lisbon, Portugal. This strategic move signifies a key milestone in Upwork's growth trajectory, providing a new base for product development and technical hiring outside the United States. The company aims for the Lisbon office to be fully operational by the fourth quarter of 2026.

1. A New Era for Upwork

The announcement was made during a press conference at the prestigious Web Summit 2025, where Upwork Inc. President and CEO Hayden Brown shared the stage with Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas. The press conference highlighted not only Upwork's expansion but also the increasing demand for skills that complement AI capabilities, underscoring the company's commitment to innovation.

“Upwork is the 17th unicorn company to set up an office in Lisbon since we launched Unicorn Factory,” stated Mayor Moedas. “Our distinctive innovation strategy and strong positioning are clearly paying off, creating more and more job opportunities across the city – especially for young talent. Upwork is a dynamic and disruptive company, and we are thrilled to welcome them to Lisbon.”

2. Why Lisbon?

Hayden Brown emphasized that Lisbon is a natural choice for Upwork's first home outside the U.S. He pointed out the city’s exceptional pool of innovative and entrepreneurial professionals, stating, “As the world’s human and AI-powered work marketplace, we believe that great talent can come from anywhere.” Brown commended the local and national governments for their commitment to making Portugal an attractive destination for investment and growth within the European Union.

3. Driving AI Innovation

The announcement of the Lisbon office comes on the heels of a record-breaking third quarter for Upwork Inc. The company has experienced a resurgence in Gross Services Volume (GSV), largely driven by AI-powered product innovations and a strong demand for talent skilled in AI. GSV from AI-related work saw an impressive growth of 53% year over year, highlighting the profound impact of generative AI on the Upwork Marketplace.

Andrew Rabinovich, the Chief Technology Officer and head of AI/ML at Upwork Inc., expressed enthusiasm about the Lisbon hub's potential. He conveyed that this new office would play a critical role in advancing Upwork's AI infrastructure, which is identified as a key driver for the company's next growth phase. “This hub will be central to further advancing our AI infrastructure—one of the strongest drivers for Upwork's next chapter of growth,” Rabinovich stated.

4. A Vision for the Future

Upwork Inc. connects businesses with a global network of AI-enabled talent across various contingent work types, including freelance, fractional, and payrolled options. The company’s portfolio includes the Upwork Marketplace and Lifted, which provides tailored solutions for enterprise organizations in sourcing and managing talent. With a range of professionals equipped with over 10,000 skills—including AI and machine learning, software development, and finance—Upwork is positioned to facilitate transformation in the workforce for the age of AI and beyond.

Since its inception, Upwork Inc. has facilitated over $30 billion in transactions, reflecting its mission to create opportunities in every work era. The establishment of the Lisbon office is expected to further strengthen Upwork's capacity to innovate and respond to the evolving needs of businesses worldwide.

In summary, Upwork's expansion into Lisbon not only underscores its commitment to scaling AI innovation but also highlights the growing significance of global collaboration in the ever-evolving landscape of work. As businesses increasingly seek to leverage AI capabilities, Upwork’s new hub in Portugal is set to become a pivotal player in this dynamic environment.

Original press release