Picture this: you need some heavy furniture moved, a few light fixtures installed, maybe holiday lights set up, but you really want somebody you can trust in your home. That’s the basic idea behind Hidrent, an app that connects people with off-duty firefighters for all sorts of household tasks.
The founder is Dave Heimbuch, a marketing pro who’s not a firefighter himself, but saw a need. Firefighters often work 24-hour shifts and have big gaps between workdays. They’re super skilled, trustworthy, and plenty are looking for extra income. Hidrent lets folks in the community get help from the people they already trust, while firefighters can earn some extra cash during their time off.
Pitching Hidrent on Shark Tank
Heimbuch took his idea to the big stage on “Shark Tank” in Season 13. If you’ve watched, you know there’s always a lot of pressure in that room—and the questions come fast.
On the show, he laid out the main points. Hidrent matches homeowners or renters with off-duty firefighters who are looking to pick up additional work. The services can be anything from small repairs to TV mounting and furniture assembly.
At that point, Hidrent had some traction. They’d made $850,000 in total revenue since their 2018 start, with $320,000 of that just in the year of their pitch. So the business wasn’t just an idea—it was already helping customers regularly.
The Sharks Bite: A Deal on the Table
The Sharks liked the concept, especially because it helped firefighters supplement their incomes and addressed a real consumer trust issue. Home service apps are everywhere, but most don’t offer the level of reliability or personal vetting that comes from working with firefighters.
Robert Herjavec and Lori Greiner teamed up for an offer: $300,000 for 33.3% equity in the company. Heimbuch didn’t get the exact terms he wanted, but he walked out with a handshake deal from two major Sharks.
Digging Into the Business Model and Reach
When Heimbuch was on the show, Hidrent was operating mainly in Phoenix and Tampa. They took a 23% commission on each job booked through the app. The idea was simple—make it easy for firefighters to earn more money and for people to book tasks quickly.
Firefighters just had to be certified and available on their days off. Customers got peace of mind, knowing who was coming into their home.
What Actually Happened After Shark Tank?
A lot of fans wonder: do all the “Shark Tank” deals close once the cameras are off? The answer is—sometimes yes, sometimes no. In Hidrent’s case, the deal was announced on TV, but later, the paperwork didn’t go through.
The deal with Robert and Lori never closed. But here’s where things get interesting: not closing didn’t slow Hidrent down. In fact, some might say the opposite happened.
Moving Ahead Without the Sharks: Fundraising and Expansion
Instead of relying on the investment from the show, Hidrent started looking elsewhere for capital. They completed a seed round that brought in $662,000 from nine different investors. That’s a pretty decent start for a platform business.
They also kicked off a public crowdfunding campaign on StartEngine. That pushed their company valuation to $8.5 million and helped pull in another $149,761 from everyday investors who liked the idea.
Bringing in investment is helpful, but it’s not the only thing that matters. The real power came from all that national “Shark Tank” exposure. People from across the country saw the pitch and thought, “I’d hire a firefighter for that.”
Landmark Partnership: Working With the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF)
One big shift after the show was Hidrent’s partnership with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). The IAFF represents over 300,000 firefighters across North America. By working with them, Hidrent could reach hundreds of times more service providers, no matter where someone lived.
As part of the agreement, Hidrent promised to donate 2% of its profits to the IAFF during the partnership. That helps with firefighter support programs and adds a feel-good angle for customers.
It’s not just a business partnership—it’s a sign of trust from the group that’s closest to the firefighters Hidrent wants to serve.
From Local to National: Service and Operations Expansion
Before “Shark Tank,” Hidrent was operating in just two regions. After the episode aired, things sped up. The exposure and added confidence helped expand Hidrent’s reach basically nationwide. The company now connects customers and firefighters in almost every market in the U.S.
Their offerings have grown, too. What started as a way to book help with moving furniture and basic repairs now includes things like TV mounting, picture hanging, setting up smart home gadgets, and hanging holiday lights. They’ve even started offering services to businesses and property managers, not just individual homeowners.
By opening up to this wider audience, Hidrent helped more firefighters make extra money and gave more types of customers access to trustworthy help.
Revenue Growth and Recent Milestones
Money talks—and Hidrent’s recent results show they’re doing something right. Annual revenue hit about $6 million by April 2024. That’s a significant jump for a business that was much smaller just a couple of years ago.
The company has also picked up a bit of recognition along the way. In the Dallas/Fort Worth area, Hidrent is now known as a top employer, ranking as one of the 20 best companies to work for. That’s not something you see every day for a startup—or for an app platform in the gig economy space.
What Do Customers Think?
If you check out customer feedback, it’s mostly positive. People like the idea of hiring someone they already trust. Often, reviews mention how friendly and skilled the firefighters are. There’s a sense that even when something small goes wrong, Hidrent steps in to fix it.
Business is about people, and Hidrent has built up some good word-of-mouth by aligning with a group everyone respects. Even Lori Greiner, though her deal didn’t close, has continued to support Hidrent publicly. She tweeted out: “Luv businesses that help people, and this business helps everyone involved—the firemen that do the service & the people getting the service.”
That’s the kind of endorsement most companies dream about. It also helps keep people talking and sharing the app with their neighbors.
Industry Attention and Broader Reception
Beyond happy customers, Hidrent has caught the attention of business observers. The app’s approach got covered by several business and local news outlets, especially after its national expansion. Its unique business model (trustworthy, vetted workers with a stake in the community) stands out in a crowded market of home service apps.
You can spot Hidrent in discussions about the best platforms for gig workers right now. Some reviews point out that it’s safer than most—and the steady flow of firefighters looking for extra work means jobs usually get picked up quickly.
There’s even been some industry talk about Hidrent shaping how people think about hiring help for small jobs. Instead of just looking for the lowest bidder, people start thinking about reliability and trust.
What Does Hidrent Look Like Now?
So, where does all this leave Hidrent as we head into 2025? Here’s what stands out: Hidrent is stable, still growing, and offering more services across more states than ever before.
They’re generating significant revenue, supporting both firefighters and customers, and growing their team and tech. They keep adding new features and service categories as users request them—or as firefighters tell them what they’re good at.
If you want to see more smart, adaptable businesses in the gig world, this is one story to keep an eye on. If you’re interested in other small business updates, check out this site for some good reads and fresh stories.
Bottom Line: What Shark Tank Did for Hidrent
In the end, Hidrent didn’t need to close its Shark Tank deal to change its fortunes. The exposure helped build trust and brand awareness, which in turn brought new customers and more firefighters to the platform. The company used that momentum to raise money, form important partnerships, and grow faster than anyone could have planned.
Firefighters now have a better way to earn extra income safely and reliably, and customers get help from people they already trust—and respect. That’s more than a win for one company. It’s a different way of thinking about the gig economy and how we connect with people in our neighborhoods.
If you’re following the small business world or searching for your next trustworthy handyman, Hidrent is proof that sometimes the pitch is just the beginning. The real growth comes afterward, when you listen, adapt, and focus on the people behind the numbers.
