FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Answers about how LiftOff works: fees, payment protection, matching, and getting started.
What is LiftOff?
LiftOff is a UK-built task marketplace where startups and small businesses get work done by freelancers. You post a task, LiftOff matches you with a curated shortlist of freelancers suited to it, and your payment is only released when you approve the work. It's built for execution — not another noisy job board.
How does matching work?
When you post a task, LiftOff's AI-powered matching engine reads what you need — skills, category, budget and timeline — and invites the most suitable freelancers. You then see a curated shortlist of up to five interested freelancers rather than an open pile of bids. You pick who to work with; nobody can spam you with proposals.
How much does LiftOff cost?
Posting a task is free, and there are no subscriptions. The standard platform fee is 5% for startups, added at checkout, and 10% for freelancers, deducted from their payout — platform fees are currently waived for early adopters. A small Stripe card-processing fee is also added at checkout, and you see the full total before you pay.
Is my payment protected?
Yes. Your money only moves when you say so: you fund the task up front, LiftOff holds the payment, and it's released to the freelancer once you've reviewed and approved the work. Payments are powered by Stripe Connect — the same payment infrastructure trusted by marketplaces worldwide.
What if I'm not happy with the work?
You don't have to approve work you're not happy with. Raise a dispute from the task and your payment stays held while we work it out with you and the freelancer directly — or email us at info@liftoff-app.com.
Who are the freelancers on LiftOff?
Freelancers on LiftOff build profiles with portfolios and ratings earned from completed LiftOff tasks, and can verify their identity — look for the ID-verified badge. Every freelancer also has to be in good standing with our trust and safety checks to be matched at all.
What kinds of tasks can I post?
Anything a startup would hand to a skilled freelancer: design, development, marketing, content, operations and more. Tasks work best when they're well-scoped: a clear outcome, a budget and a timeline give the matching engine the most to work with.
What is Rocket?
Rocket is LiftOff's AI assistant for posting tasks. It helps turn a rough idea into a clear, well-scoped brief — the kind that gets matched to the right freelancers first time.
How do I get work on LiftOff?
Create your profile, and LiftOff's matching engine invites you to tasks that fit your skills, style and availability. Register your interest in a task and you can appear on the startup's shortlist. There's no bidding war and no race to the bottom — you're matched on fit, not on who shouts loudest.
Do I have to bid or write proposals?
No. LiftOff doesn't run open bidding. You're invited to tasks that match your profile, you express interest, and startups choose from a short curated list. Your profile, portfolio and track record do the talking.
What does LiftOff cost freelancers?
The standard platform fee is 10%, deducted from your payout when a task completes — currently waived for early adopters. Joining, being matched and appearing on shortlists are free.
When do I get paid?
Before you start, the money is already committed — startups fund tasks up front. When they approve your delivered work, your payout (the agreed price minus the platform fee) is released to your Stripe account through Stripe Connect.
How do I stand out and win more tasks?
Complete your profile and verify your identity — startups choosing from a shortlist consistently favour freelancers with verification badges and a strong track record. Ratings from completed LiftOff tasks build your reputation over time.
What happens if there's a dispute?
If a startup raises a concern, the payment stays held while LiftOff resolves it with both of you directly — a human process, not an algorithm. You can also contact us any time at info@liftoff-app.com.
Still have a question?
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