SideShift

We’re happy to announce that SideShift has successfully raised $200,000 in our pre-seed funding round! ?? With this funding, we’re set to expand our platform to multiple campuses this fall and enhance it with artificial intelligence. Our development efforts will focus on smarter, data-driven job matching, personalized recommendations, and automating backend recruitment processes for businesses. This investment marks a big step forward in our mission to provide Gen Z with a better way to support themselves while in school by connecting them seamlessly with unique part-time work opportunities. A big thank you to our investors, and all of the people who have helped us along the way (Madworks Accelerator by StartingBlock / BullMont / Select Angels / University of Wisconsin-Madison / Wisconsin School of Business ) Nick Lawton / Canyon Pergande / Oliver Manilow / Dierre Johnson / Drew Levin / Axel L. / Ziji Li / David Juarez

here’s how we got our first users for our marketplace: in early April, we finally had a beta product ready to launch. But there was a challenge — with a two-sided marketplace, how do you create momentum on both sides? If either the businesses or students joined before the other, they could quickly churn after realizing there wasn’t enough activity on the platform. so, what did we do? we faked the initial supply. we collected an email list of over 500 students by telling them their favorite local businesses would be hiring through our platform starting in May. (these businesses eventually did join later on.) armed with this list of real student interest, we approached over 25 local businesses. our pitch was simple: “there’s great local talent already looking for work, and they’re on our platform. you can access them directly, either on mobile or desktop, without waiting for applicants to walk through your door and fill out paper applications.” since then, it’s been a constant balancing act to maintain that equilibrium between students and businesses, but that’s how we kick-started the marketplace. in the early stages of building a two-sided marketplace, you may need to get creative to simulate demand or supply. By showing real value to both sides, you can create traction where it didn't naturally exist. sometimes, you have to paint the picture before it becomes a reality. #innovation #marketplace #entrepreneurship #growthack

?? Transcend UW Kickoff Recap?? This week, Transcend UW officially kicked off what promises to be an incredible year, as we proudly celebrate our 10-year anniversary. We are beyond excited to mark this milestone with such enthusiasm and momentum! Reflecting on the past decade, it’s truly inspiring to see how far we’ve come, and none of this success would have been possible without the unwavering passion, creativity, and dedication of our community. A sincere thank you to everyone who joined us at the kickoff event – your energy is what makes Transcend UW thrive. A special acknowledgment to SideShift for being a part of our celebration and sharing your story with us. Your support and collaboration are invaluable. We look forward to a year filled with innovation, growth, and countless opportunities to empower students on their entrepreneurial journeys. Here’s to an exciting new chapter – let’s make this our best year yet! #TranscendUW #10YearAnniversary #KickoffEvent #Entrepreneurship #Innovation

recap of our launch party last week -> ?? ?? the energy and turnout from our student users was amazing, and were so thrilled to be creating something that is impacting our community in a positive way daily. things are looking up, and it's time to put the pieces in place for an expansion plan this fall to over 10+ new campuses... stay tuned for more recap & updates. #sideshift #innovation #marketing #support #hrtech #genz

last week we hosted our first launch party. ?? we invited our close friends + power users. ?? take a look into how it went by following our Head of Sales Dierre Johnson ?? #innovation #marketing #launch #entrpreneurship #tech

Did you know Jeff Bezos worked at McDonald's ? "I worked at McDonald’s during the summer in high school and college. They have a lot of systems in place, and even though you might think of it as a simple job, I learned a lot about managing large organizations and serving customers quickly. The importance of being efficient and working under pressure has stuck with me." At SideShift, we're creating a platform where Gen Z can have those same foundational experiences, helping local & remote businesses thrive by connecting them with motivated college students. Lessons from any job, no matter how small, can shape the leaders of tomorrow. #innovation #management #technology #viralmarketing

realistic day in the life of building a startup while in school.

Yesterday, we hosted our very first local job fair in the heart of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and it was a huge success! ?? While career fairs are nothing new, the concept of a hyper-local job fair, specifically designed to connect college students with nearby small businesses, has yet to fully emerge here in Madison—until now. Partnering with some amazing local businesses, we saw a fantastic turnout, which only reinforced our belief in doing things differently. At SideShift, we're passionate about making it easier for Gen Z to find part-time, low-skill jobs that fit their schedule, while also helping small businesses struggling to hire. Yesterday's event was a big step in the right direction—bringing the digital and physical worlds together to create real impact for both students and businesses alike. Live look @Oliver Manilow in action ?? We’re just getting started. Stay tuned for more! ?? #LocalHiring #GenZJobs #Madison

Brad Pitt first job in college... ?? Before Brad Pitt became one of the biggest stars in Hollywood, he had a job that was anything but glamorous—he dressed up as a chicken to promote a restaurant. ?? While pursuing his acting dreams in Los Angeles, Pitt worked odd jobs to pay the bills. One of them was standing outside El Pollo Loco in a full chicken suit, waving a sign to bring in customers. ?? Imagine that—Hollywood’s leading man once clucked around on the sidewalk, trying to catch people’s attention. ?? That chicken suit might have been hot and uncomfortable, but it taught him something essential: there’s no shortcut to success. Every small job, no matter how quirky, was a part of his journey. ??? Today, Brad Pitt’s resume boasts Oscar-winning performances, but those early days in a chicken costume remind us that perseverance and humility can lead to incredible places. ?? #HustleHard #SuccessStory #Inspiration #BradPitt #FromChickenToStar #Perseverance #HollywoodJourney

Ken Griffin 1st College Hustle… ?? Did you know Ken Griffin started trading stocks *from his dorm room* during college? ?? While studying at Harvard University, Griffin had an idea that would change his life forever. He convinced the university to let him install a satellite dish *on the roof of his dorm*. Why? So he could get real-time stock market data that others didn’t have. He used that data to start trading, turning his dorm room into a mini trading floor. ?? But here’s the twist—Griffin didn’t just use his own money. He persuaded friends and family to invest with him. The stakes were high. He wasn’t just trading for himself. And it worked. By the time he graduated, Griffin had turned those early trades into a *million-dollar fund*. ?? That hustle set the foundation for what would become Citadel, one of the largest hedge funds in the world. What started with a satellite dish and a dorm room is now a multi-billion dollar empire. Talk about taking risks that pay off! ?? If Ken Griffin can start from his dorm room, imagine where SideShift can take you! ?? #SuccessStory #Inspiration #KenGriffin #Entrepreneurship #Finance