News from 2024


Airbnb announces expansion of Entrepreneurship Academy partnerships

Airbnb has revealed plans for its Entrepreneurship Academy to collaborate with more than 30 organizations in 2024, aiming to broaden hosting opportunities for diverse and historically underrepresented communities. The initiative seeks to familiarize these communities with the Airbnb platform, thereby offering them economic prospects.


Enclave hosting free open house, office tour on May 8 at Barrington location

Enclave Coworking will be hosting an open house and office tour at its Barrington location on May 8.


Uber and Waymo Launch Autonomous Deliveries in Phoenix

Uber and Waymo have collaborated to introduce a new service in Phoenix that will revolutionize the way food is delivered to customers. The partnership, which initially focused on autonomous rides, has now expanded to include Uber Eats deliveries via Waymo vehicles in select areas of Phoenix.Customers in Tempe, Mesa, and Chandler will now have the opportunity to have their food orders delivered by autonomous vehicles from local merchants such as Princess Pita, Filiberto’s, and BoSa Donuts. The process is simple - when placing an order through the Uber Eats app in Phoenix,...


Lyft announces expansion of green mode

Lyft has announced the expansion of its Green mode to more cities, airports, and riders, aiming to create additional earning opportunities for drivers of electric and hybrid vehicles.


Upwork announces Upwork Partners program for businesses and freelancers

Upwork has announced the initiation of Upwork Partners, a novel program that enables companies to form alliances with Upwork to highlight independent professionals and cater to their customers' requirements. This program grants freelancers access to industry-leading tools designed to improve productivity and work quality.


NELP announces potential misclassification of self-employed workers

The National Employment Law Project (NELP) has disclosed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, indicating that approximately 16.75 million workers were self-employed in March, accounting for roughly 10% of the total workforce. Despite this significant figure, it appears that millions may be inaccurately classified as corporations label employees as independent contractors.


DoorDash announces expanding alcohol delivery prtovides Dashers with opportunities

DoorDash has announced its plans to expand alcohol delivery in 2023, a move aimed at providing Dashers with increased income opportunities and positively impacting local communities. The company's services have now reached 32 states across the country, as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.


The 2024 Uber Lost & Found Index Reveals Surprising Trends

The 2024 Uber Lost & Found Index has been released, showcasing the most commonly forgotten items and the most forgetful cities among Uber riders. According to the index, a variety of unique and unexpected items have been left behind in Uber vehicles over the past year.Among the most commonly forgotten items are clothing, luggage, headphones, wallets, jewelry, phones, cameras, tablets or books, laptops, and vapes. However, riders have also managed to misplace items such as frontal hair toupees, live turtles, trays of meat pie, tubs of surgical implants, and even...


Set it and Forget it: How to Maximize Your Safety Features

Uber has announced a new initiative to enhance safety features for its riders, especially focusing on the safety of women. The company revealed that 53% of women feel unsafe at night, even when walking alone within a mile from their home. In response to this concerning statistic, Uber is introducing safety preferences to empower riders to maximize the in-app safety features.The company expressed its commitment to creating a safer environment for all individuals, with a particular emphasis on women's safety. According to Uber, prioritizing safety for women ultimately...


Enclave opens new coworking space in Evanston

Enclave, an urban co-working space organization, announced the opening of a new location in Evanston, Illinois.


Airbnb announces support for renter-friendly policies

Airbnb has publicly declared its support for communities adopting short-term rental policies that favor renters. As part of this initiative, the company has pledged a donation of $100,000 to the Flagstone Initiative, an organization that aids renters in maintaining their homes.


NELP announces Supreme Court decision upholding workers' rights

The National Employment Law Project (NELP) has publicized the U.S. Supreme Court's unanimous decision in Bissonnette v. LePage Bakeries, which affirms delivery workers' rights to seek unpaid wages in court rather than through private arbitration. NELP had submitted an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to scrutinize the corporate habit of enforcing forced arbitration clauses and protect workers' rights.


Fiverr announces tech talent report

Fiverr has announced the publication of a report titled "Strategic Insights: Leveraging Freelance Talent in Tech". The report is aimed at assisting tech executives in understanding and addressing current sector challenges. It provides an in-depth analysis of executives' areas of concern, including the most stressful quarter (Q3).


DoorDash launches benefits pilot for PA dashers

DoorDash, the tech company, has announced the launch of a six-month pilot portable benefits savings program for its delivery personnel, known as 'dashers', in Pennsylvania. The dashers enrolled in this program will be eligible for coverage of expenses such as retirement savings, health, dental and vision insurance, along with paid time off.


Upwork announces its 2024 in-demand skills report

Upwork, the leading online talent solution, recently unveiled a study report forecasting the most sought-after skills that organizations are expected to demand from skilled professionals in 2024. The report identifies data science and analytics as one of the fastest-growing work categories, propelled by robust business demand for generative AI modeling and machine learning expertise.


Airbnb announces Major Disruptive Events Policy update

Airbnb has announced revisions to its Extenuating Circumstances Policy, which will henceforth be known as the Major Disruptive Events Policy. The renaming aims to better reflect the policy's purpose, which is to provide cancellation and refund assistance for guests affected by unforeseen major events.


Taskrabbit unveils Robinhood retirement program for gig workers

Taskrabbit has announced the initiation of the Robinhood Retirement for Independent Workers program. This initiative, developed by Robinhood, is designed specifically for gig economy companies and their freelancers.


DoorDash unveils AI feature to combat chat abuse and harassment

DoorDash, the technology company connecting consumers with local businesses, has announced the introduction of SafeChat+, a state-of-the-art tool designed to enhance safety on its platform. Utilizing artificial intelligence (AI), this technology aims to detect and intercept instances of verbal abuse or harassment within in-app conversations.


Walter Hill to Receive WGAW’S 2024 Laurel Award for Screenwriting Achievement

Legendary screenwriter, director, and producer Walter Hill has been announced as the recipient of the Writers Guild of America West’s 2024 Laurel Award for Screenwriting Achievement. Hill, known for his work on iconic films such as The Warriors and 48 Hrs., will be honored for his significant contributions to the world of screenwriting."Walter Hill's impact on our industry is undeniable,” stated WGAW President Meredith Stiehm. “His unique style influenced and educated generations of screenwriters who followed. He has had an enduring, renowned career, and the Guild is...


Voices of Grubhub: Grubhub Corporate Accounts Continues to Set Industry Standard

The last few years have been interesting for the delivery industry, especially for corporate accounts. Tell us what the horizon has been like pre-COVID to post-COVID.According to an unnamed spokesperson from Grubhub, the impact of COVID on their team was inverse compared to the rest of the company. Before the pandemic, their Corporate Accounts business mainly focused on in-office dining, including various types of orders. However, when people stopped going into offices due to COVID, there was an initial decline in business. The spokesperson highlighted that during the...