Contra - The Community for Independent Workers

A New Platform for Independent Professionals: Introducing Contra

Whether described as pursuing "something new" on Twitter, or as self-employed on LinkedIn, founder Ben Huffman believes his platform, Contra, represents the optimal solution for independent workers to showcase and profit from their expertise.

Contra aims to redefine professional profiles, emphasizing project-based accomplishments rather than traditional role-based descriptions commonly found on platforms like LinkedIn. This approach is designed for the evolving landscape of the future: the rise of digital knowledge workers – independent tech professionals engaging in freelance work and various projects.

Targeting Early Adopters

Currently, the platform primarily attracts independent professionals seeking opportunities to collaborate with or provide guidance to product development teams.

Huffman explains that these users often share a strong degree of interconnectedness. “Consider a modern product team comprised of designers, engineers, project managers, writers, and content distributors. There’s a natural tendency for these professionals to refer one another,” he stated.

Shifting the Focus from Roles to Projects

Instead of simply stating “Former Stripe Engineer,” Contra encourages users to highlight the specific tools they’ve mastered, the projects they’ve spearheaded, and the initiatives they’ve successfully implemented.

Huffman points out that a resume often fails to reveal the specific challenges a professional overcame. “What remains unknown are the problems they resolved at Stripe,” he explains, and Contra provides a dedicated space to articulate these contributions.

A Storefront for Independent Creators

A Contra profile functions as a digital storefront for an independent creator’s business. Upon visiting a profile, users will first encounter a showcase of project experience.

Options are available to view currently offered services, explore recommendations from the referral network, and access the comprehensive “About” section.

Building High-Signal Referral Networks

A key objective of Contra is to facilitate the creation of robust and valuable referral networks for independent workers, thereby increasing their chances of securing new opportunities and projects.

When a user adds a new project to their profile, they can readily identify and acknowledge collaborators involved in its completion.

Distinguishing Contra’s Network from LinkedIn

This differs significantly from LinkedIn, where connections can be established with anyone encountered. Contra necessitates demonstrable work experience with network members, resulting in a more reliable and impactful referral system. The platform prominently displays referrals, drawing inspiration from the “Top 10” feature once popular on MySpace.

Addressing Concerns About Equity

The reliance on referrals raises concerns about potentially disadvantaging Black and brown founders who may lack access to established networks. However, Huffman asserts that Contra’s approach extends beyond referrals.

“Traditional resumes are frequently filtered by AI and have historically created obstacles for BPOC candidates,” he said. “By prioritizing project experience over roles and educational credentials, we aim to empower undiscovered talent.”

Combating Bias and Expanding Opportunities

Huffman, having personally experienced resume bias as a college dropout from a rural background, believes his platform can effectively address this issue. He envisions Contra enabling a talented designer in Minneapolis to secure opportunities in major cities like San Francisco or New York by showcasing their portfolio.

Beyond LinkedIn: A Vision for the Future

However, Contra’s ambitions extend beyond simply challenging LinkedIn, Huffman clarifies. The platform aspires to be more than a professional network.

It aims to become a marketplace where independent workers can monetize their skills and attract direct clients, effectively merging the functionalities of LinkedIn and Shopify.

Monetizing Value Creation

Contra allows independent workers to build a profile and then generate revenue from it, while also tracking engagement metrics to identify which services are in highest demand.

“We are focused on enabling individuals to monetize the value they produce, rather than simply the time they invest,” Huffman explains. The ultimate goal is to “provide the infrastructure necessary for independent workers to thrive and build sustainable identities.” Contra integrates with Stripe to facilitate seamless payment processing.

Data-Driven Insights for Independent Workers

The platform provides independent workers with internal analytics, revealing which aspects of their profile attract the most attention, which services are most sought after, and the conversion rates for potential clients.

These analytics, accessible only to the user, offer valuable insights for optimizing their profile and maximizing their earning potential.

A Unique Monetization Model

Unlike freelance marketplaces like UpWork and Fiverr, which charge commission fees, Contra offers free access to earning and profile creation. Instead, it employs a SaaS subscription model, priced at $29 per month.

This subscription unlocks benefits such as same-day payouts and increased visibility within the platform, ultimately leading to better opportunities.

Competitive Landscape and Future Outlook

LinkedIn’s development of a new service called Marketplaces, designed to connect freelancers with work, represents a potential competitive threat. Facebook is also exploring similar tools.

Huffman believes Contra’s emphasis on professional identity and its commission-free model provide a distinct competitive advantage. “This reinforces the relevance of what we are building,” he stated.

Securing Funding for Growth

To address the competitive landscape, Contra has secured $14.5 million in Series A funding, led by Unusual Ventures, with participation from Cowboy Ventures and Atelier Ventures.

Scaling the Platform and Supporting Independent Work

While Contra has not disclosed its current user base, it confirms that the total number of users is “in the six-figure range.”

The funding will be allocated to accelerate feature development and establish an ambassador program, offering $1,000 per month to users who test the product and promote the transition to independent work.