Croux Secures $1M Funding to Expand across Southeast

Dear Croux Community,

Thanks to your support and confidence, Croux is expanding its reach beyond Alabama and across the southeast. To fuel this growth, we are thrilled to announce that Croux has recently secured an investment of $1 million from TitletownTech, an early stage venture capital firm formed by a partnership between the Green Bay Packers and Microsoft, and a group of investors that brings a wealth of industry and operational knowledge. This exciting development comes on the heels of strong momentum over the last year, during which we launched Croux across the state of Alabama; helped local businesses fill over 3,000 shifts; and paid talent, on average, nearly 2.5X the minimum wage every shift. The investment reflects the confidence and commitment at both the local and national levels in our mission, our technology, and our ability to execute.

For founders who come from the hospitality industry, this growth is humbling and unreal. We — restaurant owners, operators, chefs, and gig workers (and one software engineer) — started Croux after struggling through the pandemic and its aftermath, witnessing our colleagues’ businesses close, and watching the mass exodus of extraordinary talent leave the industry. We knew the hospitality industry had to evolve to survive, and we believed that its future started with better treatment of the people who worked in it.

That’s why every decision, every feature, and every new experience within the app considers our talent first. This approach is the reason we believe we have seen such incredible momentum to date. And it’s also what encouraged the Giving Kitchen, a national nonprofit that provides emergency assistance to food service workers in crisis, to partner with Croux.

“Giving Kitchen’s Stability Network connects food service workers to many different resources, some of which help prevent a crisis down the line and some that help after crisis hits,” says Co-founder and Senior Director of Community Engagement, Jen Hidinger-Kendrick.

“As an employment resource, Croux is a great addition to our catalog of preventative Stability Network resources because it offers increased financial stability via flexible work opportunities for people who are already in the food service industry.”

Talent that signs up for Croux via a Giving Kitchen referral will earn even more, thanks to a shift bonus of $50 for the first shift worked and $100 for the fifth shift worked.

But this is just the beginning. Getting the future of work in our industry RIGHT has big implications. The hospitality industry contributes over 10% to our country’s GDP. But the industry’s talent faces headwinds that most people don’t recognize, often working multiple jobs to support themselves and their families, lacking reliable transportation as well as access to healthcare, childcare, or even a bank account. Through flexible work opportunities for all people regardless of experience or background, fast payments, rewards for jobs well done, and access to discounted benefits, Croux economically empowers the talent behind this vital sector of our economy. We believe that when we provide equal and easy access to work, individuals can perform and prosper, which allows local businesses to run at top speed with a full staff, and that enables our local economies to grow and thrive.

Serving you, the ones who serve everyone else, has been our greatest privilege and pleasure. Thank you for your belief in us and for being a part of the Croux community. We look forward to growing with you.

Cheers,
Croux's Founders

Sign-up and start picking up or posting shifts here.

About Croux

Croux is a platform that connects talent with flexible work opportunities in the hospitality industry. The platform enables venues, event companies, restaurants, bars, hotels, and other hospitality businesses to quickly and easily connect with qualified workers to fill open shifts while offering its talent community flexible work schedules, fast payments, perks for jobs well done, and access to discounts and benefits. Founded by hospitality owners, operators, and gig workers, Croux is on a mission to transform the way the industry operates by prioritizing and empowering its most important asset: its people. For more information about Croux, please visit www.croux.co.

Access our Press Kit here.

‍About TitletownTech

Formed in 2019 out of a partnership between the Green Bay Packers and Microsoft, TitletownTech is an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in bold entrepreneurs solving meaningful problems. Located in Green Bay’s Titletown, TitletownTech’s unique ecosystem convenes engaged investors, in-residence partners, industry advisors, higher education, and a dedicated team to provide founders with support and guidance tailored to their needs. With investments across six verticals: sports, media, & entertainment; digital health; agriculture, water, & the environment; manufacturing & construction; supply chain & logistics; and cross-industry technology, TitletownTech invests in the US, with a focus on the Midwest. For more information, please visit www.TitletownTech.com.‍

About Giving Kitchen

Giving Kitchen (GK) is a nonprofit organization that provides emergency assistance to food service workers through financial support and a network of community resources. Its goal is to create a food service community in which crises are met with compassion and care. Since its inception, GK has served over 12,500 food service workers and awarded over $8.5 million in financial assistance. In 2022, Giving Kitchen was named one of Fast Company’s Brands That Matter. In 2019, Giving Kitchen was the recipient of the James Beard Foundation Humanitarian of the Year Award. For more about Giving Kitchen, visit givingkitchen.org and follow @givingkitchen on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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