Shift One: Connecting Blue-Collar Workers with Employment Opportunities

Jason Radisson, formerly a general manager with Uber in Nevada, identified a significant gap in the labor market – a need for a streamlined connection between companies and blue-collar workers.

The Genesis of Shift One

This realization led to the conceptualization of Shift One in late 2018, a marketplace designed to effectively pair workers with potential employers.

The startup’s primary focus lies within crucial sectors like last-mile logistics, delivery services, e-commerce fulfillment, and the coordination of large-scale events.

Growth and Client Base

Following its official launch in 2019, Shift One has rapidly expanded its platform to include 25,000 workers.

A substantial portion of these workers were reportedly unemployed prior to joining the platform.

Currently, Shift One serves approximately 50 clients across the U.S. and Colombia, including prominent names such as Amazon, NASCAR, Weee!, Mensajeros Urbanos, and the Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

Comprehensive Workforce Management

Shift One not only facilitates the matching of employers and workers but also provides support for essential administrative tasks.

These tasks encompass time tracking, tax processing, attendance monitoring, productivity analysis, and efficient work-order management.

Seed Funding and Key Investors

To fuel its growth and broaden its operational scope, Shift One recently secured $5.2 million in seed funding.

The investment round was spearheaded by City Light Capital and JAM fund, the venture fund established by Justin Mateen, co-founder of Tinder.

Additional participation came from K50 Ventures, Ventura Investments, Human Ventures, and angel investor Felipe Villamarin.

Experienced Leadership Team

The operational foundation of Shift One is built upon a team with extensive experience in the gig economy.

Founder and CEO Radisson notes that all original team members previously held positions at either Uber or Lyft.

Furthermore, the initial technical team was comprised entirely of former Uber employees.

Addressing the Challenges of "Gig 1.0"

Radisson articulated that the impetus for creating Shift One stemmed from a desire to “correct and improve some of the things in Gig 1.0.”

The company aims to establish a more equitable system for workers, mitigating the negative cycle of frequent job transitions and inadequate compensation.

“We wanted to give them stability,” Radisson explained to TechCrunch.

Meeting Employer Needs

Simultaneously, Radisson recognized the difficulties companies faced in sourcing qualified workers within the logistics sector.

Shift One caters to a diverse range of skill levels, from entry-level positions to supervisory and warehouse management roles.

Benefits and Financial Inclusion

Acknowledging that many logistics workers are accustomed to contract employment without benefits, Shift One provides comprehensive benefits to all platform workers from their first day of employment, with minimal contribution requirements.

The platform also facilitates access to checking accounts and debit cards, addressing the issue of financial exclusion for many workers.

“A lot of these workers are unbanked and didn’t have the ability to even get a paycheck,” Radisson stated.

Team Cohesion and Full-Time Schedules

Shift One prioritizes providing workers with “full schedules” and opportunities to collaborate within cohesive teams.

“It’s part of our value prop that our teams are cohesive and really high functioning,” Radisson added.

Bootstrapped Beginnings and Revenue Growth

Until recently, San Francisco-based Shift One operated on a bootstrapped basis.

The company is currently “slightly” profitable and has been reinvesting its earnings to drive business expansion.

In 2020, Shift One experienced a tenfold increase in revenue, building upon a modest initial base.

The startup maintains offices in Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Bogotá, and Bucharest.

Future Expansion and Impact

With the new capital infusion, Shift One plans to expand into new markets – currently operating in approximately 12 states – increase its headcount to over 20, and accelerate its technology development roadmap.

Radisson highlighted the recent surge in demand within the last-mile delivery sector, particularly during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“We want to give opportunities to millions that didn’t go to college and that have seen stagnant wages for years. We want to give them opportunities to get ahead.”

Industry Validation

Justin Mateen, principal at JAM Fund and co-founder of Tinder, believes Shift One is effectively addressing the labor market challenge of “adverse selection.”

“Gig work has been defined by seasonality and availability — neither are particularly good for workers,” he commented.

Even Miami Mayor Francis Suarez recognizes the importance of Shift One’s mission, noting the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on blue-collar jobs.

“With Shift One, workers receive fairly compensated jobs with the opportunity to grow and develop,” Suarez stated. “Companies get access to a steady, predictable source of high-quality labor. And Miami benefits from the virtuous circle of higher employment and strong local businesses.”