Summary:
GAGE aims to revolutionize interaction between hourly workers and employers.
Secured $1 million in pre-seed funding with a $9 million valuation.
Focuses on economic mobility for employees with transferrable performance data.
Initial success with 60 businesses and 3,000 employees in Coastal Georgia.
Plans to expand into larger markets like Atlanta and Dallas with significant investment prospects.
The Unsung Heroes of the Workforce
The shift and hourly workforce is essential to daily life, from stocking shelves to preparing meals. As Justin Henshaw, a native of Golden Isles, emphasized during a presentation at Techstars in New York City, these workers often go unrecognized.
Introducing GAGE
Henshaw's new platform, GAGE, aims to change that by enhancing interaction between hourly workers and their employers. This innovative team management system not only tracks employee performance but also rewards them, addressing a significant gap in current human resource management systems which typically favor businesses over employees.
Techstars Accelerator Program
GAGE was one of 12 startups selected for the Techstars Accelerators program, designed to help entrepreneurs gain traction and access funding. With the program completed, GAGE successfully closed a $1 million pre-seed funding round at a $9 million valuation, positioning the platform for national expansion.
A Platform for Employees
Unlike traditional systems, GAGE focuses on economic mobility, providing employees with transferrable performance data that enhances their career prospects. Henshaw describes GAGE as the ‘LinkedIn for the hourly workforce,’ but with added utility and validated data for both employees and employers.
Impressive Growth and Future Plans
In its initial phase, GAGE has been adopted by 60 businesses in Coastal Georgia, employing 3,000 people. The platform is set to launch its second generation, integrating social media features and expanding into larger markets like Atlanta and Dallas, with plans to launch at 30 Smoothie Kings in Dallas alone.
Team and Vision
Henshaw leads a passionate team, including Jeffrey Cole, Michael Turner, and Antonia Bashir, all dedicated to refining GAGE based on real-world feedback. The platform is designed to empower employees while providing significant value to employers, with projections of $18-20 million in future investments.
Industry Recognition
According to Keith Camhi, managing director of Techstars, GAGE presents a transformative concept with the potential to significantly impact the shift and hourly workforce. The unique go-to-market strategy and the ability to generate revenue early on make GAGE a standout in the tech startup landscape.
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