Code Story: Insights from Startup Tech Leaders S11 Bonus: Gajus Kuizinas, Contra
Dec 4, 2025
Gajus Kuizinas, the founder and CTO of Contra, discusses his unique journey from a non-traditional upbringing in Lithuania to developing a commission-free talent marketplace. He highlights the creative process behind Contra’s redesign, emphasizing user feedback and competitive analysis. Gajus also shares insights into hiring strategies, such as using Stack Overflow for recruitment, and reflects on critical decisions like prioritizing feature parity. He reveals ambitious plans for integrating AI and personalized identity while advising entrepreneurs to trust their vision.
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Marketplace Model That Preserves Freelancer Identity
- Gajus built Contra to fix a gap where top freelancers lose visibility after leaving marketplaces.
- The platform centers identity and direct client relationships while removing commission fees.
From Upwork To Independence
- Gajus recounted starting on Upwork, winning some jobs and failing many before building reputation and confidence.
- He left because platforms took commissions and controlled client relationships, pushing him to go independent.
Ship Single-Player Mode First
- Build an MVP that lets users still create value even before the marketplace is complete by providing "single player mode" features.
- Invest in marketing assets and identity tools to maintain momentum while core features are developed.
