99designs, the largest online graphic design marketplace in the world, today launched a localized Italian-language version of its site at 99designs.it. The company has appointed a Country Manager to manage the new Italian site and will now offer Italian-language support to customers and designers in the region.

“With Italy’s startup scene really taking off in recent months, it seemed the ideal time to give Italian entrepreneurs a native-language version of 99designs to help brand their companies and get to market quickly,” said 99designs President and CEO Patrick Llewellyn. “As one of the most design-centric countries in the world, Italy has been an important part of 99designs’ European success to date. We already have a strong customer and designer base there and look forward to significant growth in 2013 and beyond.”

99designs has named Giulia Depentor its Italian Country Manager. Depentor joined 99designs in August 2012 with its acquisition of Berlin-based 12designer, where she managed the company’s Italian-language services. In her new role Depentor will be responsible for overseeing 99designs’ expansion in Italy, from leading marketing and community management efforts to building strategic local partnerships with startups and other organizations.

The launch of 99designs.it marks 99designs’ third new foreign-language offering in less than five months and the continuation of the company’s broad European expansion plans. In September 99designs launched 99designs.de for German speaking customers and designers, and in November introduced 99designs.fr for the French market.

“The rapid adoption of 99designs in Germany and France following our introduction of localized sites in these countries is a clear indication that offering regionally tailored platforms and support is critical,” said Eva Missling, 99designs’ General Manager of Europe and founder of 12designer. “Giulia’s passion, experience, and knowledge of the local language, culture and startup community make her the ideal candidate to lead our expansion efforts in Italy.”

To celebrate the launch of 99designs.it, 99designs and Italian entrepreneur platform Startupbusiness are inviting startups based in Italy to participate in 99designs Loves Italian Startups!. Nine startups will be selected to receive a free design contest (valued at up to 479 €), and will be featured on 99designs.it and Startupbusiness.it. Complete details and the application form can be found at 99designs.com/customer-blog/99designs-launches-italian-site-at-99designs-it.

Since its founding in 2008, 99designs has hosted more than 185,000 graphic design contests for startups, small businesses and other organizations around the world. In the same period, the company has paid out more than $45 million to its community of 200,000 graphic designers from around the world. European customers currently account for more than 15 percent of design contests on 99designs.

About 99designs

99designs is the world's largest online graphic design marketplace, connecting businesses looking for design work with more than 200,000 graphic designers from 192 countries around the world. Businesses can source graphic design work quickly and affordably by launching design contests to the community, working 1-on-1 with individual designers, or purchasing design templates from 99designs' readymade logo store. The company was co-founded by serial entrepreneurs Mark Harbottle and Matt Mickiewicz (SitePoint, Flippa), and is backed by Accel Partners and angel investors Michael Dearing (eBay, Harrison Metal), Dave Goldberg (Survey Monkey), Stewart Butterfield (Flickr, Tiny Speck) and Anthony Casalena (Squarespace). To learn more about 99designs, including where the company is hiring, visit 99designs.com.