Instant shifts. Real pay. No experience needed.
UK youth face a dramatic shortage of entry-level jobs, forcing them to compete in pools that have doubled in size and driving up unemployment.
ShiftSwift shows UK 18-24 year olds last-minute and regular part-time shifts in local cafes, shops, pubs and venues. Users build one profile, set availability, and get push notifications when matching shifts are posted nearby. One-tap apply. Built as a mobile-first experience for on-the-go young workers.
UK school leavers and 18-24 year olds seeking first jobs or entry-level retail/hospitality roles
Hyper-local real-time shift marketplace with a habit-building streak system that helps users collect references and eventually move into permanent roles.
edgy
Live list of available shifts within chosen radius
Instant application with pre-filled profile and availability
Location and preference-based instant alerts for new shifts
Simple calendar to set when you can work
Gamified system that turns completed shifts into digital references
Map view of venues that regularly hire through the platform
See how much you've earned and potential monthly income
Record of completed shifts with optional employer ratings
| Column | Type | Nullable |
|---|---|---|
| id | uuid | No |
| phone | text | Yes |
| name | text | No |
| created_at | timestamp | No |
Relationships:
| Column | Type | Nullable |
|---|---|---|
| id | uuid | No |
| user_id | uuid | No |
| radius_km | int | No |
| preferred_roles | text | Yes |
| streak_count | int | No |
Relationships:
| Column | Type | Nullable |
|---|---|---|
| id | uuid | No |
| venue_name | text | No |
| role | text | No |
| pay_rate | int | No |
| start_time | timestamp | No |
| status | text | No |
| Column | Type | Nullable |
|---|---|---|
| id | uuid | No |
| user_id | uuid | No |
| shift_id | uuid | No |
| status | text | No |
| applied_at | timestamp | No |
Relationships:
/api/shifts/nearbyReturns available shifts within user's radius using location
/api/claim-shiftClaims a shift for the user
/api/availabilityUpdates user's availability calendar
/api/notifications/registerRegisters device token for push notifications
5 applications per week
None
None
| Month | Users | Conversion | MRR | ARR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month 1 | 680 | 6% | $775 | $9,300 |
| Month 6 | 6,800 | 11% | $14,212 | $170,544 |
Get notified the second a local café, shop or pub needs help. No CVs. No interviews. Just show up and get paid.
1. Visit 30 independent cafés and shops in London and Manchester offering free venue posting for first month. 2. Run geo-targeted TikTok ads in university cities showing '£90 for one Saturday shift'. 3. Partner with student unions to promote in freshers groups.
Large company backing
Focus on longer contracts, less last-minute
Truly instant local shifts with youth-first UX
Student focused
Traditional job board format
Real-time push notifications and mobile-first experience
Network effect between venues and young workers. More users = faster shift filling = more venues posting = stronger habit for users.
Post-pandemic hospitality sector still struggles with unpredictable staffing. Combined with cost-of-living pressure on UK youth creating perfect conditions for instant-shift platforms.
Venues may not post enough shifts
Manual outreach to 200+ venues in first 3 cities
Compliance with working time regulations for 18-24s
Clear disclaimers and age verification
Notification fatigue
Smart matching and user-controlled frequency
Success: At least 70% of youth say they would use it 2x/month
Success: 150 applications in first 3 weeks
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