Driving the Gig Economy’s Dignity Revolution: Why GigU Exists and What We're Fighting For
Read the GigU Manifesto by Luiz our CEO and Co-Founder
Every time I share a meal with a rideshare or delivery driver, I hear the same stories: sudden account deactivations with no suitable explanation, falling earnings despite rising customer fees, and a profound sense of being expendable. These aren't just anecdotes – they represent the daily reality for millions of global gig workers who help to literally drive our modern app-powered economy.
When we first started GigU (formerly StopClub) in Brazil just before the COVID-19 pandemic, we didn't set out to build another tech company. We set out to correct a fundamental injustice in how tech platforms treat their most valuable asset: the human beings who make their services possible.
The GigU Manifesto
1. Transparency is not optional, it's essential
The current rideshare model provides about 10 seconds for drivers to accept the next ride, or not – via a “take fare” a.k.a. an app offer. But most drivers don’t have time to smartly evaluate and choose the “cherry-picked” fares to garner the most profit for their day’s earnings. With GigU, we help drivers pick the best fares via intelligent scans to pick which fares are worthwhile - and which are not.
When drivers can't see what they're truly earning per mile or minute, they cannot make informed business decisions. We believe that every worker deserves to know if the offered fares are worth it, or not, in a way that keeps them and their riders safe from driver distraction. With GigU, drivers are not at the mercy of hidden algorithms; just clear information that empowers better choices.
2. Being profitable should not require workforce exploitation
An increasing drive for more corporate profits has created an unbalanced model where drivers are treated as expendable resources to be burned through rather than valued partners. When a driver quits from exhaustion or financial strain, platform companies can simply recruit more. This model is broken. The major app companies garner increasing profits at the expense of their drivers who are earning considerably less (down about 20% since 2023), while drivers’ costs to operate – from gas to maintenance to vehicle depreciation costs – have continued to go up steeply over the last two years.
3. Technology should serve humans, not replace them
While autonomous vehicles will eventually transform transportation one day, we reject the false narrative that human drivers are simply placeholders until robots arrive. Just as commercial aircraft can fly themselves but still need pilots, the future of mobility will require human judgment, care, and adaptability – especially in more complex urban environments beyond our smaller testing grounds.
4. Fairness cannot exist without a voice
When passengers and drivers have disputes, platforms almost universally side with passengers. A single complaint can end a driver's livelihood without any real opportunity to present their side of the story. We believe in giving drivers the tools – like our ‘Secret Camera’ feature on the GigU app – to document their experiences and protect themselves from unfair treatment.
5. Community beats exploitation
The isolation of gig work is by design. Platform companies benefit when drivers compete rather than cooperate. We believe in building bridges between drivers, creating spaces (both virtual and physical) where they can share knowledge, support each other, and collectively advocate for better treatment.
6. Earnings dignity is a human right
No one enters gig work expecting to become a millionaire, but everyone deserves to earn enough money to live with dignity. When platform companies continuously reduce drivers’ pay and increase their own cuts, they violate the basic trust that should exist in any working relationship. We stand for fair, predictable and transparent earnings and profits that reflect the true value drivers create.
7. Data should benefit those who generate it
No one enters gig work expecting to become a millionaire, but everyone deserves to earn enough money to live with dignity. When platform companies continuously reduce drivers’ pay and increase their own cuts, they violate the basic trust that should exist in any working relationship. We stand for fair, predictable and transparent earnings and profits that reflect the true value drivers create.
Why This Matters
The future we envision starts with a simple principle: sharing a meal together, listening to each other, and treating others with the dignity and respect they deserve.
At GigU, we're building more app features and tools that empower drivers to maximize their profits, protect their safety, and connect with a community that values their contribution.
Our ‘Cherry Picker’ feature gives drivers rapid, transparent insights to make better decisions about which rides to accept. Our ‘Secret Camera’ provides enhanced protection and more peace of mind.
But these first offerings are just the beginning.
We believe the future of the gig economy is one where smart technology amplifies drivers' potential, boosts profits from their hard-earned work, keeps them more safe and secure, and treats rideshare and food-delivery drivers as true partners rather than disposable resources.
GigU’s mission is to provide more balance, transparency, and fairness between all parties in the gig economy through tech innovation that benefits us all.
This isn't just about building a better app. It's about building a more equitable future of work. And we invite every driver, passenger, and app platform to join us in making it happen.
Together, we can transform the gig economy from a race to the bottom into a community that lifts everyone up. Will you join us?