Crowdsourcing platform 99Designs pushes into Singapore; gives startups access to affordable design

Design crowdsourcing site 99Designs is continuing its expansion into Asia, following the launch of its localized Hong Kong site with a Singapore one. 99designs.com.sg enables users to transact in the local currency and access support through a local number.

Unlike traditional freelance marketplaces, 99Designs allows customers to launch contests for a variety of design work. They can pick the most suitable design, after which the copyright for the winning work will be transferred to the customer. Clients who are unhappy with the service can opt for a full refund.

The company has hired 3 design consultants from the Philippines to help Asia-Pacific customers with the design briefs and contests.

Asia has been an active market for 99Designs, although each country plays a different role. Singapore has the highest sales per capital on the platform, while Indonesia and Philippines have active designer communities that are seeking jobs at price-competitive rates.

Young startups at the seed stage of between 0-5 employees is a key demographic for 99Designs, says Jason Sew Hoy (LinkedIn), 99Designs’ COO and Asia-Pacific general manager. That’s due to the tiered pricing model of the website, which allows users to pick from about 120 designs for as low as USD299.

He has been making the rounds in the country, having spoken at startup conference Echelon and Crowdsourcing Week. He will be the main guest at this Friday’s Startup Grind.

“Crowdsourcing is sort of like speed dating,” he says, “it’s not just about connecting customers with designs, but also with designers.”

Jason adds that between 30-40 percent of contests result in follow-on work for the designer.

99Designs was founded in 2008 in Australia. It has offices in San Francisco, Berlin, and Victoria, and has raised USD 35M in Series A funding so far.

The platform is not the only crowdsourcing design service to launch in Asia recently. DesignCrowd, also from Australia, made a splash in Singapore, India, and Philippines last year. It also cites Singapore as a top market on the basis of per capita sales.