Erik Stettler

Chief Economist @Firstrock Capital

Toptal is an exclusive network of top freelance software developers, designers, finance experts, product managers, and project managers in the world. Leading companies around the globe hire Toptal freelancers for their most important and challenging projects. As Chief Economist for Toptal, I utilize my experience as a data scientist and venture capital fund manager to address the economic opportunities presented by the talent economy.My experience building global teams in the tech industry has enabled me to see first hand the impact made on individuals, organizations, and countries when geographical barriers to collaboration disappear. Technology makes it possible to do business everywhere from anywhere, and the world’s best talent expect this flexibility as a rule. The talent economy requires a change in every function and at every level of every company.My objective is to ignite conversation and provide leadership for this dynamic new reality to help individuals and companies to proactively harness the power of technology and global talent as opportunities rather than viewing them as risks. Geography no longer has a say in where you find your next expert or big idea. Staying ahead of trends and developments is a powerful competitive advantage. We are here to educate, inspire, and learn together. The talent economy is part of the path to realizing the promise of technology: helping people and organizations reach their highest potential.