If you caught Hidrent on Shark Tank and have been wondering whatever happened to the firefighter-powered handyman app, you’re not the only one asking. A lot of Shark Tank companies quietly disappear after their episode airs, so it’s a fair question. The good news for fans of the show and the concept is that Hidrent isn’t one of those fade-away stories. It’s still up and running, and it’s actually grown quite a bit since its TV debut.
What Is Hidrent?
Hidrent is a mobile app that connects homeowners with off-duty firefighters who take on household tasks for extra income. Think furniture assembly, hanging pictures, gutter cleaning, installing light fixtures, yard work, and general handyman jobs. The idea came from founder Dave Heimbuch, who learned that his firefighter brother-in-law regularly did these kinds of side jobs for people in the community. Since firefighters already go through strict background checks as part of their job, Hidrent leans on that built-in trust instead of running its own separate vetting process from scratch. The platform works through two connected apps: one for homeowners to post and price jobs, and Hidrent Pro, which lets firefighters browse and accept jobs that fit their schedule.
The Shark Tank Pitch
Dave brought Hidrent onto Shark Tank Season 13 looking for $300,000 in exchange for equity in the company. At the time, the business was generating solid revenue but was only operating in two cities, Phoenix and Tampa. The Sharks were drawn to the trust factor built into the firefighter angle, and after some back-and-forth negotiation, Robert Herjavec and Lori Greiner teamed up to offer $300,000 for 33.3% equity. Dave accepted the deal on air, and the exposure from the episode gave the company a serious boost in visibility almost overnight.
Direct Answer: Yes, Here’s Why
So is Hidrent still in business? Yes, and it’s doing considerably better than it was at the time of filming. The company has grown its revenue significantly, expanded well beyond its original two-city footprint, and built new partnerships that have strengthened both its reach and its reputation. None of that happens for a business that’s quietly winding down. Hidrent has kept adding features, kept raising money, and kept building its user base, all signs of a company that’s actively moving forward rather than coasting on old momentum.
Growth Since Shark Tank
Before the show, Hidrent had generated around $850,000 in lifetime revenue and operated only in Phoenix and Tampa. Since then, the company has expanded to offer nationwide availability, meaning customers anywhere in the U.S. can use the app as long as there’s a registered firefighter in their area. Annual revenue has climbed sharply too, reportedly reaching around $6 million by 2024. That kind of jump from a two-city operation to a national platform shows the business found real demand once it had the resources and visibility to chase it.
Funding and Investment History
Beyond the Shark Tank deal, Hidrent has raised additional money to fuel its growth. The company brought in $662,000 in seed funding from nine different investors and later ran an equity crowdfunding campaign that valued the business at $8.5 million. These funding rounds gave Hidrent the resources to build out its technology, hire more staff, and roll out new features without relying on risky debt. For a small startup that started as a side project idea, that’s a meaningful vote of confidence from outside investors.
Partnership with the International Association of Fire Fighters
One of the bigger moves for Hidrent was partnering with the International Association of Fire Fighters, giving the company access to a network of over 300,000 firefighters across the country. This partnership essentially helped Hidrent go national almost overnight, since it suddenly had a much larger pool of potential workers to draw from in cities it hadn’t previously served. As part of the deal, Hidrent also donates a portion of its profits back to the organization, which reinforces the mission-driven angle that made the company stand out on Shark Tank in the first place.
New Services and Features
Growth hasn’t just been about expanding geographically. Hidrent has also rolled out a phone booking option, aimed at customers, especially seniors, who aren’t comfortable using an app to schedule a job. This small addition opened the door to a whole segment of customers who might otherwise be left out of the on-demand service economy. The company has also started offering its services to businesses, not just individual homeowners, taking on jobs for retail stores, offices, and property managers who need reliable, trustworthy help.
How the Business Makes Money
Hidrent’s revenue model is straightforward. The company takes a commission, typically around 20 to 23 percent, from each job completed through the platform, while the rest goes directly to the firefighter who did the work. There’s no subscription fee involved. Customers simply pay per job, which keeps things simple for people who might only need help once or twice a year. This pay-as-you-go structure has likely helped Hidrent attract a wider range of customers who don’t want to commit to a recurring service plan.
Where Is Hidrent Headquartered and Who Runs It?
Hidrent is based in Dallas, Texas, and remains led by founder Dave Heimbuch, who has a background in tech sales rather than firefighting himself. His connection to the firefighting community came through marriage, and that personal insight into how firefighters spend their off-duty time became the foundation for the entire business. Heimbuch has continued steering the company through its funding rounds, national expansion, and new partnerships since the Shark Tank appearance.
Bottom Line
Hidrent is very much still in business, and it’s grown a lot since its Shark Tank episode aired. Between the nationwide expansion, the partnership with the International Association of Fire Fighters, steady revenue growth, and continued investment from outside backers, the company shows every sign of a business that’s building for the long term rather than fading out. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth trying, the evidence points to a legitimate, growing service rather than a Shark Tank company that quietly disappeared.
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