Elance Announces Strategic Relationship in the Microsoft WebsiteSpark Program

Web Professionals Get Software Licenses for Microsoft Technologies, Plus Training and Support Through the WebsiteSpark Program, Making It Easier to Provide Hosting Services on the Microsoft Web Platform

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. - September 24, 2009 - Elance, the leading site for online work, today announced its participation as a partner in the new Microsoft WebsiteSpark Program. The WebsiteSpark Program provides eligible Web development and design firms with Microsoft software and solution licenses on several of its most popular and current technologies, with no up-front costs, including Windows Web Server, Microsoft Visual Studio, Microsoft Expression Studio and Microsoft SQL Server Web edition, as well as the support and training they need to offer Web site hosting on the Microsoft Web Platform. Elance’s participation in the WebsiteSpark Program is a leap forward in making the Microsoft Web Platform more accessible to the thousands of individuals and teams of Web professionals who work on Elance.

“Web development and Web design are among the most popular and fastest growing categories of work on Elance,” said Jon Diller, VP of Elance’s Provider Network. “By partnering with Microsoft on this initiative, we are able to offer Elance service providers access to the most current Microsoft software, tools and training to help them deliver great value to the companies who hire them to design and build Web applications critical to their business success.”

On Elance, businesses gain instant access to 100,000 rated and tested professionals who offer technical, marketing and business expertise. With more than $215m in Elance earnings to date, independent professionals use Elance to meet clients and get paid for delivering great results. More than 275,000 new jobs are posted annually representing well over $100m in work opportunities.

“Microsoft is excited to team up with Elance on the WebsiteSpark Program,” said Mitra Azizirad, General Manager, Developer Platform Evangelism at Microsoft. “By providing the Elance community with the software, support and opportunities to develop innovative Web sites and applications, we are demonstrating our commitment to helping small businesses -- and our valued partners -- succeed in today’s challenging business climate.”

The WebsiteSpark Program is now available worldwide. Interested Web development and design firms can learn more about the program and our offering by visiting our Web site at www.elance.com.

About Elance, Inc.
Elance, where companies find, hire, manage and pay contractors online, is transforming the way businesses get work done.

On Elance, companies gain instant access to more than 97,000 rated and tested professionals who offer technical, marketing and business expertise. With more than $210m in Elance earnings to date, independent professionals use Elance to meet clients and get paid for delivering great results.

The company is privately held and headquartered in Mountain View, California. For more information, visit Elance at http://www.elance.com.

Elance and the Elance logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Elance, Inc. in the United States and other countries.

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Elance and the Elance logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Elance, Inc. in the United States and other countries.

Media Contact:
Carolyn Adams
Borders+Gratehouse
Phone: (415) 963-4174 ext. 4
Email: carolyn@bordersgratehouse.com

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