Braintrust

Braintrust represents a novel approach in the freelancing and talent acquisition space as the first decentralized talent network. It primarily focuses on connecting highly skilled technical freelancers with some of the world's leading brands, including Nestle, Porsche, Atlassian, Goldman Sachs, and Nike. The platform stands out by allowing freelancers to keep 100% of their earnings, which is a shift from the traditional staffing firm models that often take a significant cut from freelancer's income. Braintrust's business model, characterized by reduced fee extraction and promoting community ownership, is made possible through its integration with blockchain technology.

The use of blockchain enables Braintrust to distribute control over the network transparently among its community members based on their contributions. This could include activities such as referring new talent, vetting professionals, and bringing new clients into the network. This model ensures that the incentives of the network align with those contributing to its growth, in contrast to centralized platforms that might extract high fees from their participants.

Braintrust was co-founded by Adam Jackson, Gabriel Luna-Ostaseski, and Brian Flynn in 2018, based in San Jose, California. The trio embarked on creating this decentralized network with the vision of reshaping how freelance talent connects with potential employers, particularly focusing on tech-based skills.