Freelance marketplace Fiverr has joined the raft of companies suspending their business in Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.
In an announcement on the company’s blog, founder Micha Kaufman wrote, “The devastation in Ukraine requires action and has triggered global economic sanctions aimed at ending the conflict. In light of the ongoing situation, Fiverr is suspending its business in Russia starting today.”
Kaufman specified that Fiverr will not allow the opening of new accounts or the use of existing accounts to buy or sell on the platform. “We are, however, allowing our Russian freelancers to withdraw their current earnings to ensure we have fulfilled our obligations to them,” he noted.
Alongside the halting of its Russia-based activities, the founder said Fiverr would “continue to prioritize efforts to support our Ukrainian community.” He added that the company had set up a dedicated store to promote Ukrainian freelancers able to work.
Fiverr’s fees from the store will be donated to the Ukrainian Red Cross to support their efforts to provide first aid, clothes, food, medications, and clean water in the region.
Kaufman said that all fees paid by Ukrainian freelancers in the last few weeks would also be returned. “We will continue to look for ways to support our Ukrainian community, as well as all victims of the war,” he stated.
Fiverr was established in 2010 by Kaufman and Shai Wininger. With headquarters in Tel Aviv, the company went on to open additional offices Berlin, London, Miami, New York City, Phoenix and San Francisco.
Globally, it competes with freelancer sites such as Freelancer, Upwork and Dribbble.
