Freelancer Limited has reported a landmark half-year profit, driven by strong revenue growth, AI project demand, and a major NASA contract win. Operational advances across its platforms underscore a promising outlook.
- Group revenue up 8% to $28 million with NPAT of $1.9 million
- Freelancer platform GMV grows 2.8%, onboarding 2 million new users
- Escrow.com revenue surges 32% despite slight GMV decline
- Loadshift sets multiple revenue records, launches in-app calling
- Secured NASA’s $475 million NOIS-3 program contract
Financial Turnaround and Growth
Freelancer Limited (ASX – FLN) has delivered a striking turnaround in its first half of 2025, reporting a net profit after tax of $1.9 million compared to a $1.0 million loss a year earlier. Revenue climbed 8% to $28 million, supported by disciplined cost control and improved gross margins of 85.3%. The company’s cash position strengthened to $26 million, up 12.3% since December 2024, while operating cash flow more than tripled to $6.8 million.
Marketplace Momentum and AI Demand
The core Freelancer platform saw gross merchandise volume (GMV) increase by 2.8% to $66.5 million, fueled by onboarding over two million new users and posting 171,000 new projects. Notably, average project size surged 36.2% year-on-year, reflecting growing enterprise engagement and the expanding Loadshift division. AI-related projects continue to drive robust demand, with the company positioning AI as a future marketplace vertical rivaling traditional web development in scale.
Escrow.com and Loadshift Expansion
Escrow.com, Freelancer’s secure payment arm, experienced a 32.3% revenue increase to $6.1 million despite a 3.3% decline in GMV. The platform expanded into new verticals including ag-e-commerce and heavy machinery, and launched a pilot integration with a major shopping cart provider. Loadshift, Australia’s leading heavy haulage freight marketplace, set multiple monthly revenue records and introduced in-app audio and video calling, enhancing user communication and operational efficiency.
Strategic Partnerships and Government Contracts
Freelancer’s reputation with government innovation agencies was bolstered by securing a place on NASA’s $475 million NOIS-3 program, a significant contract extension. The platform facilitated lunar navigation concept submissions and engaged thousands globally in the Artemis II Moon Mascot Challenge. Additionally, the company’s work with the NIH and Bahrain Labour Fund highlights its growing footprint in public sector innovation and workforce development.
Looking Ahead
Freelancer plans to focus on enhancing marketplace engagement, accelerating AI-driven innovation, expanding financial services, and driving operational excellence in the second half of 2025. The company aims to sustain at least $500,000 in monthly operating profit, leveraging its strengthened cash position and debt-free balance sheet to fuel growth.
Bottom Line?
Freelancer’s record half-year profit and strategic wins set the stage for accelerated growth amid rising AI adoption and government partnerships.
Questions in the middle?
- How will Freelancer’s AI initiatives reshape its competitive positioning in the freelance marketplace?
- What impact will the NASA NOIS-3 contract have on long-term revenue and project pipeline?
- Can Escrow.com’s new vertical expansions sustain its revenue growth despite GMV fluctuations?