Brigad

Founded in Paris in 2016 by Florent Malbranche, Jean Lebrument, and Alexandre Rovetto, Brigad operates an online platform for on-demand staffing, primarily targeting the hospitality and healthcare sectors. The founders, passionate about improving work accessibility, identified a need for a flexible solution to connect qualified, self-employed professionals with businesses facing short-term staffing gaps. Lebrument's family background in the hospitality industry provided early insights into the sector's technological lag and the potential for a platform to positively impact both businesses and workers.

Brigad's business model centers on its digital platform, which allows hospitality and healthcare establishments to post short-term assignments, or "missions." A proprietary algorithm then matches these missions with available, verified freelancers on the platform, with a high success rate of filling roles within two hours. The platform is free for businesses to join; revenue is generated via service charges on completed missions, with no upfront payments or subscription fees. This model provides cost transparency, as businesses see the full price before confirming a mission. The company also automates administrative tasks like contract generation and invoicing.

The service is designed for a range of clients, from independent businesses to large groups like Novotel and The Berkeley, and currently operates in several European cities, including Paris, London, and Manchester. For businesses, Brigad offers a streamlined solution to manage staffing needs, complete payroll, and access a vetted pool of motivated talent. For self-employed professionals, the platform offers control over their schedule, access to a network of potential employers, and weekly payments. A key feature is the ability for businesses to create a network of favorite freelancers, giving them priority access to future missions. Since its inception, Brigad has secured significant funding, totaling over $53.5 million, with investors including Balderton Capital, Wendel Group, and Uber, enabling its expansion across Europe and diversification into new sectors.

Keywords: on-demand staffing, hospitality, healthcare, freelancer marketplace, gig economy, workforce management, human resources, recruitment platform, B2B services, European startups