St. Simons Island, GA – December 10, 2024

GAGE, the Georgia based innovative workforce SaaS platform redefining the shift and hourly workforce, has successfully closed an oversubscribed $1 million pre-seed funding round at a $9 million valuation. This achievement followed the companyʼs compelling presentation at the Techstars Economic Mobility Accelerator Demo Day, held on December 5th, at Lincoln Center in New York City.

“GAGE is a truly game changer with massive potential, and what impresses me most is how this team executes,ˮ said Keith Camhi, Managing Director of Techstars. “Unlike many disruptive platforms that require significant funding and large user bases before they can monetize, GAGE has developed a uniquely clever go-to-market strategy. Theyʼre generating revenue by providing immediate value to employers while simultaneously delivering significant benefits to employees.ˮ Keith continues, “Justinʼs entrepreneurial spirit and personal experiences makes him the perfect person to lead the charge. GAGEʼs approach not only has the potential to transform the shift and hourly workforce but also demonstrates a sustainable and impactful rollout strategy. Itʼs a game-changer.ˮ

Techstars: A force multiplier

Techstars, a globally recognized startup accelerator and investment network has been instrumental in GAGEʼs refinement of their go-to-market, product and positioning strategies providing critical mentorship, funding and vast network access to resources and feedback. “Techstars was transformative for us. The experience was nothing short of a force multiplier for me and our entire team,ˮ stated Justin Henshaw - GAGE CEO and Founder.

Revolutionizing the shift and hourly workforce

GAGE addresses critical challenges in the shift and hourly workforce by tackling business critical issues such as turnover and performance. A first of a kind platform facilitating connections between employers and employees in a community setting, offering significant benefits to both. For employers, GAGE provides a comprehensive team management system featuring real-time check-ins, employment verification, and performance evaluations that have already proven to notably increase retention by 50% and reduced no-shows by 90%. For employees, it offers a long awaited, employee owned, transferable employment record that boosts employability and economic mobility providing each member validated credentials, performance metrics and a replacement to the archaic traditional resume. GAGE launched its prototype in Glynn County, GA, achieving impressive results, onboarding over 3,000 employees and 60 businesses, including Chick-fil-A, Stretch Zone, Smoothie King, and

Jimmy Johnʼs. Despite having no marketing budget, the platform generated $60,000 in ARR within six months, with 50% of users joining through referrals – demonstrating LinkedIn-style network effects and organic growth. “People often refer to GAGE as the ‘LinkedIn for the hourly workforce,ˮ stated Henshaw. “But we go much further by offering validated data and real utility to both employees and employers.ˮ With pre-seed funding secured, GAGE has secured several national brand partnerships and multi-unit pilots for the launch of GAGE Generation II in the first half of next year. Planned pilot rollouts will begin with key customers in Atlanta, Georgia, followed by Dallas, Texas.

From grit to entrepreneur – and inspiration to reality

GAGE originated from Justin Henshawʼs extensive experience as a multi-unit business owner in the franchise restaurant industry. A decorated Marine combat vet, he combined grit, empathy, determination and inspiration to first create GAGE for his teams. His founding team includes Jeffrey Cole, Chief of Product & Technology; Michael Turner, Head of Design; and Antonia Bashir, who leads marketing and support. Together, they bring decades of enterprise software experience from their work at companies such as OpenTable, AWS, Intuit, and Disney. “This is the power team,ˮ Justin explained, “However, In reality GAGE was designed and built by the very people who used it within my businesses,ˮ said Henshaw. “Our test lab was and still is the real world. real businesses. real employees, and real managers. They continue to be both our inspiration, motivation, and what drives us everyday.ˮ

Join the Movement

GAGE is on a mission to disrupt a critically underserved segment of our workforce. The unsung heroes who stock shelves, pave roads, pack orders, serve meals, and power the world around us. If you would like to team up with GAGE to address the $30 billion turnover and performance crisis you can connect with the team, join the platform waitlist, and learn more at gagework.com.