Interview with Tim Fung, CEO at Community Task Marketplace: Airtasker

Airtasker is a trusted community marketplace that connects people who need work done with people who want to work.

People and businesses can simply post a task and then choose from rated, verified and reviewed people ready to work straight away. Launched in 2018 in the UK, Airtasker has grown to support more than 195,000 community members across the UK and Ireland. Airtasker’s mission is to empower people to realise the full value of their skills by creating income and purpose, and helping people all around the world get more done.
 

 

How did you come up with the idea for the company?

 
Airtasker started from a simple idea: why do we ask friends and family to spend their time helping us with tasks, when we could pay people in the local community that have the time and skills? The idea came about when I was moving apartments in 2011 and asked a friend with a chicken truck to help.

My friend kindly accepted, but said that it was the fourth time someone had asked him to help move in six months! This made me realise there was a gap in the local services market to connect people who need work done with those who are ready to work.
 

How has the company evolved during the pandemic?

 
The Airtasker community has proven to be resilient in recent times. Like many businesses, Airtasker was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic but soon found that those offering their services on the platform were quick to adapt and shift their focus to contact-free delivery, home office installation and bicycle repairs. Airtasker soon found the marketplace accelerated, and grew at a faster rate compared to 2019.

Airtasker had to pivot to meet changing consumer preferences and market conditions during this time. The health and safety of the Airtasker community is a top priority, which is why the team created the COVID-19 Safety Centre hub to provide users with an online hub where they could find the latest government advice or advice about how to request a contact-free experience.
 

What can we hope to see from Airtasker in the future?

 
Airtasker is looking to ramp up its global expansion, particularly within the UK and US markets so it can help more people realise the full value of their skills.

Airtasker’s recent acquisition of US-based rival Zaarly represents a massive growth opportunity as it continues to grow globally. The AU$3.4m (£1.9 million) acquisition provides Airtasker with 597,000+ registered users (Customers) and 900+ verified service providers (Taskers), and is the first acquisition since Airtasker listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) in March 2021. It also allows Airtasker to integrate some of Zaarly’s product features, including the re-booking functionality which will be rolled out globally.

Airtasker’s launch of a AU$20.7m ( £11.3m) capital raise will fund the acquisition and growth initiatives in both the US and UK markets. Airtasker will invest further in growth marketing via paid marketing, PR and SEO initiatives and continually improve its product to encourage more users to the platform and continue to create job opportunities.

With this acquisition and investment round, Airtasker believes it can have a truly positive impact on the future of work on a global scale.