SharkTank Proposal for BuildUp Cooperative & Pay-Maker App
The On-Demand Union Revolution
THE PROBLEM
America’s workers are under attack:
- 60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck
- Real wages have stagnated for decades
- Traditional unions cover only 10% of workers
- Companies replace experienced workers with cheaper labor
- Most workers don’t know their Section 7 rights
“When my entire senior tech team was laid off and our jobs sent overseas, I realized the system was broken.”
THE SOLUTION: PAY-MAKER
The first On-Demand Union platform that:
- Empowers worker advocates to lead Section 7 Collective Actions
- Provides step-by-step guidance for requesting living wages
- Charges are due ONLY until the action is completed
- Delivers digital tools for organizing, communication, and action
“Think of it as ‘Uber for workplace organizing’ – available when you need it, without the permanent commitment.”
MARKET OPPORTUNITY
A massive untapped market:
- 130+ million non-unionized workers in America
- $50+ billion spent annually on traditional union dues
- 74% of workers would join a union if given the opportunity
- 68% of Americans support unions (highest since 1965)
- Gen Z and Millennials show the strongest support for labor organizing
“We’re not competing with traditional unions – we’re expanding the market to the 90% of workers they haven’t reached.”
COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
What makes Pay-Maker unique:
- 33 years of tech industry expertise
- Military strategic planning background
- Proven advocacy experience across multiple sectors
- Focus on immediate, achievable workplace actions
- Innovative “pay-until-completion” model
- Digital-first approach for today’s workforce
“No one else combines technical expertise, strategic organizing, and an on-demand model like we do.”
BUSINESS MODEL
Revenue streams:
- Temporary membership dues (5% of wage increases secured)
- Premium tools for advanced organizing
- Data insights for worker advocates (anonymized)
- Enterprise solutions for worker-friendly employers
Projected financials:
- Year 1: $1.2M revenue, 5,000 users
- Year 3: $8.5M revenue, 50,000 users
- Year 5: $42M revenue, 250,000 users
“Our model aligns our success directly with worker outcomes – we only win when they win.”
TRACTION & VALIDATION
Projected target use:
- Beta platform with 500+ active users
- 12 successful workplace actions completed
- Average wage increase of 18% per action
- 92% user satisfaction rating
- Strategic partnerships with 3 labor law firms
- Featured in Forbes, Fast Company, and NPR
“We’ve proven the model works – now we’re ready to scale nationwide.”
THE ASK
$2.5 million for 10% equity to:
- Expand platform development
- Expand marketing to all regions, large and small
- Formalize a train-the-advocacy-trainer program
- Hire a specialized legal team
- Scale operations nationwide
- Build relationships with traditional unions to unionize workers who meet an employer’s stonewall.
“We’re not just building a company – we’re creating a movement that will transform how American workers advocate for themselves.”
WHY NOW?
The perfect storm for worker advocacy:
- Historic labor movement resurgence
- Record public support for unions
- Increasing wage inequality
- Remote work is changing employment dynamics
- Technology enabling new organizing models
“From my battlefield experience to my tech career to my advocacy work – my entire life has prepared me for this mission.”
THE VISION
By 2028:
- 1 million workers using Pay-Maker
- $5 billion in increased wages secured
- Presence in all 50 states
- Recognized as the leading platform for workplace advocacy
- Fundamentally changed how workers organize
“Join us in building a future where every worker has the tools to secure the dignity and compensation they deserve.”
THANK YOU
BuildUp Cooperative & Pay-Maker The On-Demand Union Revolution
Contact: founder@buildupcooperative.
“Who’s ready to help us transform American labor?”
Submitting The BuildUp Cooperative &
Pay-Maker Proposal to Shark Tank
Official Application Process
To submit your BuildUp Cooperative & Pay-Maker proposal to Shark Tank, follow these steps:
1. Complete the Official Application
- Visit the official Shark Tank casting website: https://abc.com/shows/shark-tank/apply
- Fill out the comprehensive online application form
- Be prepared to provide:
- Detailed business information
- Current financials and projections
- Your personal background
- What makes your business unique
2. Prepare Your Video Pitch
- Create a 1-minute video pitch (required for all applications)
- Introduce yourself and your business
- Clearly explain the problem you’re solving
- Demonstrate your product/service
- Share your traction and results so far
- Show your passion and energy
3. Attend Open Casting Calls (Optional)
- Shark Tank occasionally holds open casting calls in various cities
- Check their website for upcoming dates and locations
- Prepare a 1-minute pitch for an in-person presentation
4. Follow Up
- Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis
- Be patient, as the selection process can take months
- Continue building your business while waiting
Alternative Pathways
If you’re looking for additional exposure or investment opportunities while waiting:
1. Local Pitch Competitions
- Many cities host startup pitch competitions
- Check with local business incubators and accelerators
- These can provide funding and valuable feedback
2. Industry-Specific Accelerators
- Consider labor tech or social impact accelerators
- Examples include:
- Techstars Workforce Development
- New Media Ventures
- StartingBloc
3. Impact Investors
- Your social mission may appeal to impact investors
- Research firms focused on the future of work and labor rights
- Organizations like Candide Group, Working Capital, or Kapor Capital
Preparation Tips
To maximize your chances of selection:
- Refine your pitch – Practice until it’s concise and compelling
- Gather evidence – Collect testimonials from users and data on impact
- Know your numbers – Be prepared to discuss financials in detail
- Anticipate questions – Especially around scaling and competition
- Demonstrate traction – Show real results, not just ideas
Remember that Shark Tank receives thousands of applications, so make sure your submission stands out by clearly articulating your unique value proposition and the significant market opportunity for an on-demand union platform.
60 Second Proposal
Randell Hynes, U.S. Army Veteran and President of BuildUp Cooperative, walks confidently onto the Shark Tank stage
Randell: “Sharks, I’m Randell Hynes, President of BuildUp Cooperative, and I’m seeking $2.5 million for 10% equity in our revolutionary Pay-Maker app.”
Pauses, making eye contact with each Shark
Randell: “America’s workers are under attack. When my entire senior tech team was laid off and our jobs shipped overseas after 33 years in the industry, I didn’t just get angry – I got to work.”
Pulls out smartphone and displays the Pay-Maker app
Randell: “Pay-Maker is the world’s first On-Demand Union platform. We give worker advocates the digital tools, legal knowledge, and strategic guidance to lead successful Section 7 Collective Actions for living wages – and we only charge dues until the action is completed.”
Mark: “So you’re disrupting traditional unions?”
Randell: “We’re expanding the market to the 90% of workers traditional unions don’t reach. Think of it as ‘Uber for workplace organizing’ – available when you need it, without the permanent commitment.”
Displays key metrics on screen
Randell: “We’ve already helped 12 workplaces secure an average wage increase of 18%, with 92% user satisfaction. Our projections show $42 million in revenue by year five with 250,000 users.”
Lori: “What’s your background in this space?”
Randell: “I bring 33 years of tech expertise, military strategic planning as a U.S. Army Veteran, and a lifetime of advocacy – from standing up for troops and their families to organizing taxi drivers and solar workers. I’ve even run for Congress and recently led the Kennedy for President campaign in Nevada.”
Kevin: “How do you make money if dues are temporary?”
Randell: “We take 2% of wage increases secured with Pay-Maker for the first year, plus revenue from premium tools and data insights. Our model aligns our success directly with worker outcomes – we win after they win. “
Shows testimonial video from users who secured raises
Randell: “From my battlefield experience to my tech career to my advocacy work – my entire life has prepared me for this mission. Who’s ready to help us transform American labor?”
The Sharks lean forward, intrigued by this unique combination of social impact and business potential
Robert: “I have some questions about scalability…”
Scene fades as the negotiation begins.
Randell: Pay-Maker doesn’t compete with unions. It fills the gap between the time that workers want to negotiate for better wages and unionization. Unions unionize first, then solve workers’ problems.
Pay-Maker strives to solve problems first, then unionizes if the employer stonewalls progress.
We have Memorandums of Understanding with the UAW, Steelworkers, AFL-CIO, and SEUI to assume the role as a permanent union if all else fails. We take 5% of the dues secured after unionization.
I know it’s not a good business model, but Buildup Cooperative is a nonprofit with a 10-year plan to sunset and make all assets open source. I don’t want to be that nonprofit that is founded to solve a problem, but prolongs its existence by never actually solving the problems it was established for, often for decades. Just name any national nonprofit with the goal of putting itself out of business.
Follow Randell Hynes (@RandellHynes) and BuildUp Cooperative (@BuildCo-op) on X to see if they secured a deal with the Sharks!
