Cooperatives aim to tap into digital platforms for growth

Summary

Digital platforms have changed the service industry, allowing any two people with a smartphone or computer to connect to sell rides to the store, a place to stay the night, hire help around the house or in the yard — you name it. But as the convenience of these platforms makes them a larger chunk of the economy, some worry that freelance workers and independent contractors driving the wealth of Silicon Valley darlings like Uber, TaskRabbit, Craigslist and Airbnb are losing out on their fair share. Now, a Pittsburgh group is preparing to a pitch a mobile platform that puts a twist on these popular service apps: Instead of funding it by venture capitalists who demand high returns, the platform will be owned by its members who have a collective motivation to grow it.