In the late fall of 2016, the seeds of what would become Ruul were planted in Istanbul. Founded by Turkish siblings Esen and Mert Bulut, the company originated from a simple yet profound need. Mert, a freelancer who had often faced delayed payments, reached a tipping point. It was this frustration that sparked an idea, compelling him to invite his sister, then a finance director at a leading holding company, to join him.
By the end of 2017, Ruul was ready to address a critical need in the freelance market: efficient engagement between freelancers and businesses for swift billing, settlement, and payment processes. Dubbed "Global Invoicing" by its founders, Ruul's innovative solution set a new standard in how freelancers and businesses engage globally. Available in 190 countries and supporting 140 currencies, the platform ensures that freelancers can invoice their business clients in a B2B fashion and receive prompt payment, drastically cutting down the typical 31.4-day wait to just 7.4 days.
The outbreak of the global pandemic marked a significant turning point for Ruul, catapulting the startup’s growth by twentyfold over two years. This surge was propelled by the growing freelancer economy and the introduction of features like Early Pay and Crypto Payout. Today, Ruul’s network includes over 75,000 freelancers and 20,000 businesses, supported by a dedicated team of 30 elite members who have embraced remote work from the start.
Originally named Rimuut, a nod to the remote nature of its operations, the startup rebranded to Ruul post-pandemic—a reflection of its commitment to empowering modern talent with autonomy and control over their professional and personal lives. Ruul isn’t just a business; it’s a movement to redefine freedom for freelancers across the globe.
Discover Ruul’s story, from its beginnings to its growth on the world stage.
We’re driven by a clear purpose, pursuing progress with ambitious goals and a unified vision.
Empowering freelancers for liberation.
In a world where traditional employment is redefined, if you're working and not on a payroll, you're a Ruuler.
Perfecting the freelance experience.
Explore Ruul’s unique solutions, designed to empower the freelance economy.
Send business-friendly invoices to your clients, and get paid faster than ever.
Collect payments within 24 hours into your preferred account.
Collect your payment up to 60 days in advance.
Invoice in any currency. Get paid in crypto.
Meet the co-founders, top executives, and board members leading Ruul’s inspiring journey.
Co-founder
Esen Bulut is the co-founder of Ruul. After graduating Boston College with finance and economics degrees, she began her career as a Finance Executive. Prior to Ruul, she held managerial positions in finance and marketing. Esen's entrepreneurship success earned her recognition in Fortune's 40 under 40 list.
Co-founder
Co-founder: Mert Bulut is an innate entrepreneur, who after completing his education in Management Engineering (BSc) and Programming (MSc), co-founded Ruul at the age of 27. His achievements in entrepreneurship were recognized by Fortune magazine, which named him as one of their 40 under 40.
COO
With a strong academic foundation in Economics from Koç University and further specialization from the University of California, Berkeley, Eran is deeply entrenched in the startup world. He served as the CEO of a leading Martech company before joining Ruul.
CTO
With a degree in electronic engineering, Umut has over 15 years of experience in the industry. For the past 8 years, he has been leading tech and product teams at companies including Getir, specializing in crafting standout products that give these companies an edge.
Advisory Board Member
Omer Nurlu plays a crucial role as an advisory board member of Ruul. He is currently Managing Partner at Phellos Consultancy, prior to Phellos, Omer has had extensive experience in different multinational companies along with VC and PE ecosystems.
Advisory Board Member
Leo Kuyumciyan is an integral member of the Ruul team as an advisory board member. He is currently Partner at Phellos Consultancy, prior to Phellos Leo was COO of Millimetric Analytics and began his financial career as an Auditor at BakerTilly.
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