Liftupchicago

LiftUp Enterprises (LUE) is a Chicago-based for-profit social enterprise and holding company that creates, grows and scales operating businesses with the stated aim of bridging the wealth gap and expanding opportunity for low-wage workers. Started in 2018, the platform is described as a vertically integrated economic development vehicle that incubates, grows and accelerates the social enterprise initiatives of The Resurrection Project (TRP), a community development organization with a 29-year track record in affordable housing, community wealth building, immigration services and community organizing.

The portfolio is currently comprised of Do Right Services Company — an MBE-certified professional services business offering commercial cleaning (routine janitorial, project-based cleaning, and COVID-19 cleaning and disinfection), commercial landscaping (landscape design, installation, hardscaping, maintenance such as cutting, edging and line trimming, plus winter snow management) and painting — and TRP Realty, which operates in home purchase. Do Right Services operates in the Chicagoland area using commercial-grade chemicals and equipment with trained and certified personnel.

LiftUp's operating model is built on "dignity based" principles intended to lower employee turnover: it first seeks to create a livable job offering basic benefits, career building opportunities, profit sharing, a livable wage and a fair and engaging workplace, then leverages TRP's social services to provide wraparound support intended to increase employee stability and mobility.

Founding story

LiftUp was created in 2018 as a solution to underemployment and the conditions facing low-wage workers, emerging from The Resurrection Project's community development work in Chicago. Job postings reference a co-founder working directly with new hires; Julian Posada serves as President and CEO.

Business model

LiftUp operates as a for-profit holding company that owns and scales operating service businesses rather than selling a single product. Its portfolio companies generate revenue by delivering commercial services — cleaning, landscaping and painting — to business clients in the Chicagoland area, alongside TRP Realty in home purchase. Employment practices (benefits, livable wages, profit sharing and wraparound social services delivered through The Resurrection Project) are positioned as a retention and turnover-reduction mechanism within the operating model.

Traction

A third-party business information listing reports three employees and estimated revenue of $1–10M, with named staff including a marketing director, business development manager and business operations manager. The company was actively recruiting an early-career analyst for its Impact Accelerator, and one investor platform lists Cleveland Avenue as a backer. A separate startup data platform shows no known external funding.

Latest developments

LiftUp has posted an opening for a General Analyst within its Impact Accelerator, a two-year-oriented early-career role supporting data analysis, research, project management and process improvement, working closely with the co-founder. Applications are directed to Julian Posada.