Workli 100: Apply for the Class of 2026

The Workli 100 is looking for independent professionals who are helping define what freelance work looks like in the AI era. The Class of 2026 will include 100 developers, designers, creators, marketers and AI builders selected for the quality of their work, their curiosity and the way they contribute to the wider professional community.

This is not a follower-count contest or a share-to-win promotion. Applications are free, and the Workli team says every submission is read by people.

What is the Workli 100?

The Workli 100 is a selected class of 100 freelancers from different crafts and countries. Each selected member receives a permanent number from #001 to #100. That number appears in the public class collection and on a set of Workli items created only for the people selected.

The collection includes an individually numbered Workli 100 shirt, a bottle and a mug. They are not products for sale, and Workli says there will be no shop, restock or second run of the same numbers. The items are intended as recognition rather than a purchase or prize draw.

The shirt also has a practical purpose. Its QR code opens the member's Workli profile, where someone can see their work, professional record and a way to hire them. The idea is simple: wear your number, make your work easier to discover and connect the physical collection to a professional identity online.

Who should apply?

The class is open to freelancers whose work shows where independent work is going. Workli specifically names developers, designers, creators, marketers and AI builders, but the selection is not based on having a large audience.

A strong applicant should be ready to show real work and explain what they are building next. Curiosity and a generous professional spirit are part of the selection criteria alongside craft. That makes the Workli 100 relevant to both established freelancers and people building a thoughtful body of independent work without a major public following.

The programme is limited to 100 selected members. One number is assigned to each person and is theirs to keep.

How the application works

The process has four clear stages.

First, applicants answer six questions about who they are, their craft, their work and what they want to build next. One question is open-ended, giving applicants room to explain their direction rather than fit everything into fixed fields.

Second, applicants complete their Workli profile with a photo, headline, skills and work they can show. This step matters because the QR code on a selected member's shirt links to that profile. Workli therefore only selects people whose profiles are complete enough to represent them.

Third, people on the Workli team read the applications and choose a mix of crafts and countries. Selection is human rather than based on follower totals or an automated giveaway mechanic.

Finally, selected freelancers receive their individual number from #001 to #100 and the corresponding Workli 100 collection.

Why a complete profile matters

The Workli 100 is built around more than merchandise. A profile can bring together skills, visible work and a professional record. When someone scans the member's code, they should find enough information to understand the freelancer's craft and decide whether to start a conversation.

Before applying, candidates should review their profile from a potential client's perspective:

• Is the headline specific about the work they do?
• Are the most relevant skills easy to find?
• Does the profile include work they have permission to show?
• Is the photo current and professional?
• Does the work history give useful context?
• Is there a clear next step for someone interested in hiring them?

A complete profile does not need to reveal confidential client material. It should simply present an accurate, useful view of the person's work.

Apply for the Class of 2026

Freelancers can learn more and apply on the official Workli 100 Class of 2026 page. There is no purchase required, and the application does not ask people to tag friends or promote the campaign to qualify.

The limit is real: only 100 numbers will be assigned. If your work reflects where freelancing is heading, your profile is ready to represent you and you want to be part of a class spanning different crafts and countries, the Workli 100 is worth considering.

Show the work, explain what comes next and apply for a number that cannot be bought.