Leeds-based Lifted Ventures has announced an angel investment round for WAC, the app designed to empower hourly-paid workers by ensuring every minute of work is accounted for.
The firm previously participated in a £500,000 bridging round which is currently overfunding, and due to close very soon. This follows WAC’s successful £1m pre-seed raise that they previously closed.
Seven women angels from the Lifted Ventures investor network have supported WAC. Jordan Dargue, Co-Founder of Lifted Ventures, said: “WAC is a game-changer for hourly-paid workers, providing much-needed financial transparency and empowerment. Georgina’s vision and determination have built a platform that is not only innovative but deeply impactful, and we are thrilled to support WAC on its journey to scale.”
Built by bartenders and inspired by first-hand experience in hourly-paid roles, WAC was founded by Georgina Fairhall, a law graduate with eight years of experience in hourly paid work. Frustrated by repeated underpayment and disorganisation in the workplace, Fairhall launched WAC in 2020, just one week before a national lockdown. Despite being advised to relocate her business from Leeds to London, she has already raised a substantial amount of funding, with her current round oversubscribed.
Since its launch, WAC has gained significant traction, with over 11.5m shifts tracked, more than 360,000 installs and the app has attracted paying users in 30 countries. WAC has been recognised with multiple awards, including being named a Rising Star in the Praeseed Programme by Praetura Ventures and winning the prestigious 29 under 29 award in Europe.
WAC provides hourly-paid workers with tools to track, organise, and manage their income with confidence. Users can monitor their shifts, estimate their earnings in real-time, and ensure they are being paid correctly. The app includes a rota organiser, tax and payslip estimator, and dispute resolution features, offering comprehensive financial empowerment for those in flexible or shift-based work.
WAC’s bridge investment round includes contributions from two VCs, angel investors from Lifted Ventures and other angel investors. The company is set to scale operations and expand its impact on the hourly workforce.
WAC founder Fairhallsaid: “This investment marks an exciting step forward in our mission to ensure hourly-paid workers have control over their earnings. Having experienced first-hand the struggles of inaccurate pay, I am passionate about making WAC a trusted tool for millions of workers worldwide. We are grateful for the support of Lifted Ventures and look forward to growing WAC further.”
