Ubooker

Ubooker operates as a fintech-enabled, end-to-end booking and management platform for creative talent, founded in 2016 and officially launched in February 2017. The company was established by former models Claudia Wagner and Diana Gaertner, who, after 20 years in the industry, identified a need for a more efficient, digital, and fair booking process. They were joined by co-founders Nicola Scagnolari, who serves as CEO, and product development specialist Andrea Losso to build the technology.

The platform serves as an online marketplace connecting brands, online retailers, and producers directly with models, photographers, videographers, and other creative professionals. This direct connection aims to streamline the booking process, which is managed through a web and mobile app interface. For clients, the service simplifies finding, managing, and paying talent through a single platform, offering tools to post jobs, browse curated talent, and send direct booking requests. The company claims clients can save up to 30% on booking costs. For talent, the platform provides an opportunity to manage their own schedules, set rates, gain global exposure, and receive payments within 7 to 10 business days, a significant reduction from the industry standard of waiting months.

Ubooker's business model is based on taking a 10% commission on bookings, which is considerably lower than traditional agency fees that can range from 30% to 50%. The company has also introduced a 'Book Now Pay Later' option for qualified brands, offering flexible payment terms to enhance cash flow for clients while ensuring prompt payment for talent. A significant milestone was a partnership with Le Book in 2022, a well-established directory for creative talent, to expand its services and digitize the booking process for a wider range of creatives. In February 2018, Ubooker secured a seed funding round from investors including Red Circle Investments, the family investment company of Diesel founder Renzo Rosso, and Stefano Martinetto, CEO of Tomorrow London.

Keywords: talent booking platform, creative industry marketplace, model booking, freelance creative platform, direct talent booking, fashion tech, fintech, creative management software, photographer booking, videographer marketplace, pay creatives faster, digital casting, brand and talent connection, creative project management, Book Now Pay Later, on-demand talent, production management, creative services procurement, talent payment solutions, digital marketplace for creatives