Grade

API for performance-based payroll

Y CombinatorWinter 2026ActiveFintechArtificial IntelligenceFintechPaymentsPayroll

What they do

Problem

Companies need a compliant way to pay contractors and AI agents based on completed work and outcomes rather than hours worked.

Solution

Grade provides an API that enables performance-based payroll with compliance, tax reporting, and global payouts tied to tasks and results.

Who it's for

Companies that hire and pay contractors and AI agents based on deliverables and performance outcomes.

Founders

Lotanna Ezeike

CEO, Co-founder

2x VC-backed founder. Previously product lead at Barclays, one of the world's largest banks, where I led product for digital payments. At my last company, I managed $10M+ in contractor payouts. That experience led me to build Grade, the API for paying AI agents and contractors based on performance.

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James Heaney

Founder, CTO

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.

LinkedIn · X