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"A month after its purchase of Berlin startup 12designer, 99designs has launched a localized German-language version of its site. \r\n\r\nIt is the first non-English language offering from the world\u2019s largest online graphic design marketplace. 99designs connects businesses looking for design work with more than 180,000 graphic designers from around the world. It has also established its European HQ in Berlin.\r\n\r\nEva Missling was one of the founders of 12designer and now acts as European GM for Melbourne-based 99designs. She said that by adding localized German-language content and support, the company expects to encourage more local work for German designers. She also revealed that there are plans for further local-language sites in Europe over the coming months.\r\n\r\nBut Germany was the logical place to start the process, with the country being the firm\u2019s largest non-English language market and fifth-biggest overall, as well as one of the fastest growing. \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n99Designs president and CEO Patrick Llewellyn said: \u201CThe launch of 99designs.de marks a major milestone in our company\u2019s continued focus on international expansion through localization\u2026 This is a key step in our efforts to provide a truly localized service to one of our most important markets.\u201D\r\n\r\nSince it was founded in 2008, 99designs has hosted more than 160,000 graphic design contests for small businesses, startups and other organizations around the world and has paid out over $40 million to its community of graphic designers.\r\n\r\nAnd in addition to the launch of the German-language website, the company has also signed its first business partnership in Germany in the shape of a strategic agreement with free website builder Jimdo.\r\n\r\nThis story originally appeared on Silicon Allee.\r\n\r\n"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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