Grade is the API for performance-based payroll. Think of us like Deel or Gusto, but our payouts are for work completed, not hours. Companies use Grade to pay AI agents and contractors based on results: tasks completed, targets hit, work delivered. We handle compliance, tax reporting, and global payouts.
Total raised
$500K
Last stage
Seed
Investors
James Heaney
2x exited founder and now the CTO of Grade, the API for performance based payroll. Previously, I built and exited my first cryptography startup for over $5M while still in school, built and exited a consumer mobile app PrayScreen, built a rocket engine in my garage, and moved to San Francisco with my cofounder over a year ago. Excited by the future of payroll for the new global workforce and AI agents.
Lotanna Ezeike
2x VC-backed founder. Previously product lead at Barclays for digital payments. Managed $10M+ in contractor payouts at his last company. Holds a degree in Economics from the University of Leicester (2016–2020).
LinkedInNo applications, no recruiter spam. Just the intro.
A few questions to make sure this role is the right shape for you. Two minutes.
I write the intro, send it to the founder, and handle the back-and-forth.
If they’re a yes, I book the chat. You show up — that’s the whole job-hunt.
