Craig J. Lewis is an iconic figure in the gig economy in the United States. From his career as a professional basketball player in Europe to founding Gig Wage, he has transformed challenges into opportunities. After selling over 10 million dollars in payroll software, Craig established a company dedicated to simplifying the payment of independent workers, capitalizing on the rapid growth of this workforce. With personal experience in seeking capital, Craig has raised over 29 million dollars to develop his modern payment solutions. His journey illustrates how a leader who is both visionary and empathetic can modernize the fintech sector and improve the future of work.
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ToggleCraig J. Lewis: A Visionary of the Gig Economy
Craig J. Lewis is the bold face behind Gig Wage, a company that has redefined how gig economy workers are compensated. His innovative approach has overcome the multiple obstacles associated with paying independent workers, a task that is often complex and inefficient. By creating Gig Wage, Craig J. Lewis established a reliable, fast, and practical system, thereby responding to a growing demand in a rapidly expanding sector in the United States.
His success story does not stop there. Despite the difficulties faced as a Black man seeking funding in an industry that rarely invests in entrepreneurs of color, he achieved the remarkable feat of raising over 29 million dollars for his company. This rare determination speaks to his ability to navigate an astonishingly competitive and often hostile environment.
Before founding Gig Wage, Craig gained extensive experience in payroll software sales, amassing over 10 million dollars in sales. This exceptional journey, marked by a 30% monthly growth, even during the pandemic, makes Craig J. Lewis a key player in transforming the future of work.

The Promising Beginnings of Craig J. Lewis
Craig J. Lewis is no stranger to challenges. Before becoming the visionary founder of Gig Wage, he first made his mark in the sports world as a professional basketball player in Europe. Drawing from this experience, Craig was able to transfer the discipline and endurance from sports to his professional career. His transition into the technology field occurred after returning to the United States, where he sold over 10 million dollars in payroll software for influential companies like ADP. This rich experience forged his skills in sales and strategy, forming the foundation of his future success.
By launching Gig Wage in 2014, Craig identified a crucial need in the market: simplifying the payment process for workers in the collaborative economy. His ambition was clear: to make payments simpler and faster for employers of independent workers. From the outset, his approach resonated with users, and during the pandemic, his company experienced impressive month-on-month growth of 30%. This not only demonstrates his vision but also his ability to anticipate future needs in a constantly evolving market.
The Rise of Gig Wage in the Gig Economy
With the rapid increase in the number of freelancers in the United States — a group that now represents between 65 and 75 million people — the importance of solutions like those offered by Gig Wage continues to grow. Craig J. Lewis built Gig Wage to meet this growing need. The company has multiplied by offering employee payment solutions that allow for the remuneration of independent contractors in just seconds. This modern solution has revolutionized payment in the gig economy and propelled Craig to a dominant player in the payment technology field.
Thanks to his unique perspective and nuanced understanding of the financial challenges faced by independent workers, Craig has succeeded in raising over 29 million dollars in funding for the expansion of Gig Wage. His success as a Black entrepreneur in a highly competitive sector has resided not only in his perseverance but also in his willingness to bring about positive change for workers in the collaborative economy through a technology that is both innovative and empathetic.
Craig Lewis and the Future of Work
Craig J. Lewis’s approach to the future of work emphasizes broader financial inclusion, and Gig Wage is already envisioning new horizons to meet this ambitious goal. By focusing on the needs of independent workers and continuing to innovate, Craig remains determined to strengthen Gig Wage’s presence in the global market. He draws inspiration from the successes of his fintech counterparts and constantly seeks to position his company as a front-runner in the digital transformation of the world of work.