Breeze Empowers Chicagoans With Sharing-Economy Jobs, First Flexible Leasing Program to Access a 2015 Toyota Prius

Already thriving in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle, Breeze enables hardworking individuals to work and build credit on a flexible basis with Uber and Lyft

SAN FRANCISCO and CHICAGO -- May 20, 2015: Breeze, a vehicle-leasing platform for the sharing economy, today announced the launch of its service in Chicago. The Breeze membership was created to enable users to quickly start earning an income by working on Uber and Lyft. Through flexible leases on 2015 Toyota Priuses, Breeze not only provides access to jobs but also enables members to build credit and earn more than $1,000 a week – typically within seven days of signing up.

"Job seekers increasingly turn to flexible platforms such as Uber and Lyft because they want control over their schedules," said Breeze CEO and co-founder Jeffrey Pang. "Breeze now provides fuel-efficient cars so that anyone in the Chicago metropolitan area can work on Uber or Lyft. Our mission is to give our members all the tools they need to meet their financial goals."

Backed by Mark Cuban, Breeze has created the first flexible lease and job package tailored to the sharing economy. Whether members are looking for a primary or secondary job, greater flexibility in their work schedule or to improve their credit as they enter the job market, Breeze offers previously unavailable work employment options.

Members get started by paying a $250 membership fee and soon gain access to a 2015 Prius to start working with sharing economy companies such as Uber, Lyft, Postmates and others. Members are offered ongoing training and support to maximize their earning potential. Members can make more than $1,000 a week.

A new Breeze member must be 21 years old, hold a valid driver's license, have a smartphone, and pass the Breeze credit application and background check. Once cleared, members receive the keys to their car. Drivers are responsible for paying $195 per week while they have the vehicle, and if their situation changes, they can return the car with two-weeks notice – no fees, no impact to credit, and no questions asked.

Breeze was founded in 2014 by early employees of Uber and Homejoy to provide access to fuel-efficient cars and enable hardworking individuals to earn income on Uber and Lyft. Breeze has no minimum credit score and appeals to people that need flexible and consistent income, including college students, seasonal workers, entrepreneurs, artists and more.

"I started using Breeze because I was transitioning through a period in my life when I needed a lot of flexibility with my schedule to take care of my young son," said Breeze member David Garth, who makes more than $1,650 per week after fees. "I signed up with Breeze because it allowed me to quickly obtain a fuel-efficient vehicle to use in the constantly evolving sharing economy. At the same time it didn't lock me into more than a very short financial commitment – a perfect combination!"

About Breeze: Breeze (Join Breeze) is a leasing platform that equips job seekers with the most crucial, expensive asset needed to thrive in the sharing economy: their own hybrid vehicle.

As the urban workforce shifts to marketplaces such as Uber and Lyft, Breeze provides the first, no-commitment lease for individuals that value flexibility. For a $250 membership fee, members can lease a 2015 Prius that they can return with two-weeks notice. The company's mission is to create a world where hardworking individuals can access earnings on demand.