DEMO: Solvate makes it easy for companies to connect with consultants

Solvate is one of 65 companies chosen by VentureBeat to launch at the DEMO Spring 2010 event taking place this week. These companies do pay a fee to present, but our coverage of them remains objective.

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New York-based Solvate initially started out as a site dedicated to helping you find online assistants to help with administrative tasks. The site has since evolved beyond mere administrative work: Its staffing engine now makes it easy for companies to find consultants for other tasks as well, including marketing, research, and creative services.

Solvate handles the recruiting, contracts, rate negotiation, and payment for the consultants. All you need to do is list projects that you need completed, and the site’s staffing engine finds the best talent for you based on availability, rates, social feeds (e.g., the strength of their LinkedIn connections and recommendations), and other descriptive data.

Within 24 hours, you’ll receive an e-mail with Solvate’s talent selection for your project. You have the opportunity to briefly connect with the talent. If for whatever reason you don’t like them, Solvate will re-staff your project free of charge. The site also builds in a preview step into the work process — which gives you an opportunity to view a draft or proposal for the project before the talent gets to work.

Unlike its competitors Elance and oDesk, Solvate focuses on nurturing quality talent and connecting them with the right clients, instead of making the entire selection process automated.

Solvate recently raised $2.3 million in first round funding from DFJ Gotham Ventures and RRE Ventures.

(Disclosure: Solvate co-founder and COO Julie Ruvolo has written a number of articles for VentureBeat.)