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Highlights
- Upwork to open its first international office in Lisbon by Q4 2026
- Hub to focus on AI-driven product innovation and technical hiring
- GSV from AI-related work grew 53% year over year in Q3
Upwork Inc. (NASDAQ:UPWK), the global human and AI-powered work marketplace, announced plans to establish its first international operational hub in Lisbon, Portugal. The new centre will serve as a base for product development and technical hiring outside the U.S., marking a major expansion milestone for the company.
The Lisbon office is expected to be fully operational by the fourth quarter of 2026 and will be located in Alcântara — a district known for its mix of business, creativity, and technology. Upwork has already begun recruitment to support its regional growth.
The announcement was made at Web Summit 2025, one of the world’s leading technology conferences, where Upwork President and CEO Hayden Brown shared the stage with Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas.
Leadership Perspectives
“Upwork is the 17th unicorn company to set up an office in Lisbon since we launched Unicorn Factory,” said Carlos Moedas, Mayor of Lisbon. “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.”
"Lisbon is a natural choice for our first home outside the U.S.,” said Hayden Brown, President and CEO of Upwork Inc. “As the world’s human and AI-powered work marketplace, we believe that great talent can come from anywhere, and the city and region offer an exceptional pool of innovative, entrepreneurial, and forward-thinking professionals to contribute to our next phase of growth. We are deeply impressed by the local and national governments' sharp focus on making Portugal an attractive place to invest and grow in the EU."
AI Growth and Platform Momentum
Upwork’s expansion announcement follows a record-breaking third quarter. The company reported renewed growth in Gross Services Volume (GSV), driven by AI-enabled product innovation and increased demand for AI-skilled professionals. GSV from AI-related work rose 53% year over year, reflecting the growing integration of generative AI solutions within the Upwork Marketplace.
“Lisbon gives us a powerful advantage as we scale the Upwork Marketplace,” said Andrew Rabinovich, Chief Technology Officer and Head of AI/ML at Upwork Inc. “This hub will play a central role in further advancing our AI infrastructure—one of the strongest drivers for Upwork's next chapter of growth. I’m thrilled to build in a city that shares our energy, creativity, and belief in what’s possible.”
About Upwork Inc.
Upwork Inc. connects businesses with global AI-enabled talent across various work types, including freelance, fractional, and payrolled roles. Its brands include the Upwork Marketplace, which offers on-demand access to skilled professionals worldwide, and Lifted, a solution for enterprises managing contingent workforces.
The platform supports more than 10,000 skills across fields such as AI and machine learning, software development, marketing, finance, and customer support—helping organizations adapt and scale in the evolving age of AI-powered work.
