Earwig

Earwig is a digital platform focused on the construction industry, designed to function as a reviews platform for tradespeople. It was founded by Harrison Moore, who drew upon his personal experiences as an electrician to address a significant information gap for workers in the sector. Moore found it challenging to make informed employment decisions due to a lack of basic, reliable information about job sites and contractors. This experience directly led to the creation of Earwig.

The company provides a service where verified construction workers can anonymously rate and review construction sites and the main contractors managing them. This model aims to empower workers by providing them with transparent, peer-generated data, helping them to choose better work environments and avoid undesirable ones. The platform serves the vast community of freelance and employed tradespeople who often move between projects and employers.

Earwig's business model is primarily centered on generating revenue from the contractors themselves. In a competitive labor market, particularly with workforce reductions influenced by events like Brexit and COVID-19, large contractors face pressure to attract and retain skilled workers. Earwig positions itself as a tool to help these contractors improve their reputation and appeal to top talent. A prototype of the platform was launched in 2020 after the company secured a place on the Bethnal Green Ventures Accelerator Program, which provided investment and industry connections. The initiative has also received support from Accenture UK and the Resolution Trust as part of the Workertech Partnership.

Keywords: construction technology, workertech, contractor reviews, construction jobs, tradespeople platform, site conditions, labor market intelligence, construction industry, worker empowerment, job site information, skilled trades, main contractors, subcontractor ratings, employment platform, construction data, peer reviews, digital construction, Bethnal Green Ventures, Harrison Moore