Crème de la Crème

What Crème de la Crème does

Crème de la Crème is a Paris-based freelancer management platform founded in 2015 that connects curated digital freelancers with French large enterprises, primarily CAC40 and SBF120 groups. The company operates a selective two-sided marketplace: only 10% of applicant freelancers are accepted into a community of 40,000+ vetted digital experts (ML Engineers, Data Scientists, Cloud Architects, Cybersecurity Engineers, Product Managers, UI/UX Designers), while the client side is anchored by named engagements with LVMH, BNP Paribas, L'Oréal, Renault, Carrefour, Airbus, Société Générale, Kering, Sanofi, Capgemini, Accenture and 20+ other major groups. Roughly 80% of missions involve large enterprises. Dedicated Business Managers run matching against a 48-hour SLA, and the platform supplies mission tracking, automated CRA invoicing, payment processing within 48-72 hours, centralized analytics and a carbon footprint tracker — the latter being a first-of-its-kind feature for a freelance platform.

The platform's core technology is a freelancer management system with matching algorithms, automated invoicing and a centralized analytics dashboard, augmented by a Slack-based community layer for mission distribution. Beyond matching, Crème de la Crème monetizes through a Portage (payroll umbrella) service, Consulting offerings (PMO, Tech Factories, Training) and a community/content layer via Creme Academy and Creme Connect (20+ events annually). Revenue is dual-sided: a minimum 15% HT commission on client estimates plus a 5% HT monthly service fee on freelancer invoiced amounts. The company has raised approximately $4.3M across three rounds between 2016 and 2018, with the last disclosed round led by Alto Invest, and appears to have operated without external capital since.

The go-to-market combines inside sales (Business Manager-led matching), community-led acquisition (curated talent pool, Creme Academy content, afterworks, webinars) and event-driven engagement (workshops at Station F, regional afterworks in Paris, Lille, Nantes). Distribution is domestic-only through direct enterprise sales, self-serve client and freelancer portals, and a private Slack community with job-specific channels. A partnership layer with AXA (professional liability), LCL Pro (banking), Mansa (credit), Luko (insurance), Cautioneo (housing), and Numbr/Indy (accounting) embeds lifestyle services into the freelancer proposition and deepens switching costs on the supply side.

Name

Crème de la Crème

Legal name

CRÈME DE LA CRÈME

Website

https://cremedelacreme.io

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Crème de la Crème is a Paris-based freelancer management platform founded in 2015 that connects a curated pool of 40,000+ digital experts (10% acceptance rate) with French large enterprises, primarily CAC40 and SBF120 groups, via Business Manager-led matching, Portage payroll, and consulting add-ons.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Freelance Talent Marketplace

NAICS

Custom Computer Programming Services (541511)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Customer Service/Support CRM & Contact Center Platforms (BPAFAFAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

CRM Strategy & Consulting (BPAFAFAA)

Keywords

• Freelancer management platform
• Talent matching services
• Digital consulting marketplace
• Enterprise freelance staffing
• IT contingent workforce

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Client Commission: Minimum commission of 15% HT charged on each estimate/quote made at the client's expense. Daily rates communicated to freelancers exclude this commission.
2. Freelancer Service Fees: Monthly service fees equivalent to 5% HT of the total invoiced amount, automatically deducted during monthly payment processing. Covers premium services including cash advance, access to premium assignments, business manager support, and partner benefits.
3. Portage Services: Payroll portage services for freelancers, allowing them to carry consultants through an automated platform in minutes

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Crème de la Crème operates a curated freelancer marketplace connecting rigorously vetted digital experts (10% acceptance rate from 40,000+ community members) with major French enterprises (CAC40 and SBF120) for IT, data, AI, cloud, cybersecurity, and digital transformation missions. The platform combines automated 48-hour talent matching with mission tracking, automated invoicing and payments, carbon footprint monitoring, and centralized analytics, complemented by portage payroll services, consulting (PMO, Tech Factories, training), and community programs.

Product overview

Crème de la Crème operates as a freelancer management system (FMS) / marketplace connecting highly selective digital freelancers (10% acceptance rate, 40,000+ experts) with major French enterprises (CAC 40, SBF 120). The core platform is complemented by a Portage payroll service, Consulting offerings (PMO, Tech Factories, Training), and community programs (Creme Academy and Creme Connect). The product portfolio centers on the platform itself — featuring matching in 48h, mission tracking, automated payments, carbon balance tracking, and analytics centralization — supported by administrative and consultancy add-ons.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Crème de la Crème Platform Core freelancer management system that connects vetted digital experts with enterprise clients, offering 48-hour matching, mission tracking, automated payments, carbon footprint monitoring, and centralized analytics for IT, digital, and data missions.
• Portage Platform Payroll portage service that enables freelancers to operate under an employer structure, providing centralized document management, single supplier onboarding, and visibility into freelance headcount for enterprise clients.
• Consulting Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 40,000+ vetted digital experts available in the community
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers34 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature6 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• L by LCL ProminorOthersL by LCL Pro is the first 100% online professional account backed by a traditional bank. It targets entrepreneurs, independents, and small businesses seeking simple, reliable banking adapted to their daily needs.
• MepminorOthersSimple and fast investment solution for independents, enabling the crème de la crème community to grow their savings efficiently.
• CaravelminorOthersRetirement savings platform for independents, offering simple, flexible, and responsible pension solutions matching the freelance lifestyle.
• MansaminorOthersFacilitates access to consumer credit for freelancers, enabling them to realize their projects through simple and fast bank loans.
• WemindminorOthersPersonalized insurance coverage for independents, partnering with crème de la crème to better serve the freelancer community.
• HeymeminorOthersHealth insurance that understands the lifestyle of independents, providing mutual coverage tailored to freelance needs.
• LukominorOthersHome insurance company offering digital and flexible coverage, with options dedicated to freelancer needs including those in the crème de la crème community.
• CautioneominorOthersEnables easier access to housing for freelancers by providing guarantees, recognizing that employment contracts should not be the only selection criterion for tenants.
• AchyllesminorOthersHelps independents make their real estate projects a reality by connecting them with expert mortgage brokers specializing in freelance borrowers.
• NumbrminorOthersAccounting firm dedicated to independents, with the goal of helping freelancers launch and overcome administrative phobia through innovative tools and human support.
• FreebeminorOthersOnline management and invoicing tool for micro-entrepreneurs, helping the crème de la crème community save time on administrative tasks.
• IndyminorOthersAccounting robot that automates bookkeeping, enabling freelancers to easily manage their accounting and declarations through an intelligent app.
• AXAcoreOthersAXA provides professional liability insurance (RC Pro) covering all freelancers registered on the platform, protecting against risks related to professional activities.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC1x8xWOl6osruiVovSslTGw
• Facebookfacebook.com/hellocreme
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cremedelacreme-io
• Instagraminstagram.com/hello_creme
• Xx.com/hellocreme

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Crème de la Crème