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Grade
YC W26San Francisco, US · Founded 2025 · 2 employees · 4 known investors
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Grade is a payment platform that automates payouts to creators across borders, handling tax compliance, KYC, and invoicing in multiple countries. It serves content creators, influencers, and UGC creators hired by companies and agencies.
Also known as Creator Check Technology, Inc. · Creator Check
AI & Machine LearningCreator EconomyFintechSaaSPaymentsPayrollAIUnited States of AmericaAmerica / Canada
Founders & leadership· Y Combinator alumni (W26)
Grade was founded in 2025 by Lotanna Ezeike and James Heaney.
LE
Lotanna EzeikeCo-Founder, CEOLotanna Ezeike was a product lead at Barclays focused on digital payments, and previously managed contractor payouts at another venture-backed company. He is now building Grade, an API for performance-based payments to AI agents and contractors.
JH
James HeaneyCo-Founder, CTOHe previously founded and exited a cryptography startup and a consumer mobile app called PrayScreen, and has experience in hardware engineering.
Investors · 4
Pioneerlisted by PioneerToronto, Ontario
How we know: Y Combinator's founder network · pioneerfund.vc · open dataset · 5k.vc investor directory · Not right? Tell us
Y Combinatorlisted by Y CombinatorSan Francisco · $500K
How we know: the Y Combinator directory · open dataset · 5k.vc investor directory · Not right? Tell us
Blast.Clubreported$5.5M
How we know: Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us
JN Ventures GmbHreported
How we know: Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us
Related companies · 9
IntuitIntuit develops financial software products—including TurboTax, Credit Karma, QuickBooks, and Mailchimp—for consumers and small businesses to manage taxes, credit, accounting, and marketing. It serves approximately 100 million customers worldwide.
Eazipay Inc.Eazipay provides payroll processing and payment automation infrastructure for African businesses, with tools for salary distribution, tax handling, and regulatory compliance. The platform also offers workers features like early wage access and financial management services.
TipaltiTipalti is an AI-powered finance automation platform that automates accounts payable, mass payments, procurement, and employee expenses for growing companies. The platform serves businesses seeking to streamline financial operations and reduce manual finance tasks.
BuildStreamBuildStream provides candidate sourcing and data research services for recruiting teams, using multiple data sources and manual verification to compile verified contact lists that reduce reliance on multiple software tools.
Popular PaysPopular Pays is an influencer marketing and creator management platform that connects brands with creators for campaign development and execution. The company serves brands seeking to collaborate with content creators aligned with their values.
CentralCentral provides a platform with security features including multi-factor authentication and fraud monitoring for user accounts and financial transactions.
LightricksLightricks develops AI video generation models and a creative platform (LTX Studio) that enable creators to produce high-quality videos efficiently on consumer hardware. The company serves content creators and small businesses with generative AI tools for video editing and storytelling.
RunaRuna is an HR management platform that automates payroll, employee onboarding, offboarding, training, performance tracking, and compliance processes through AI agents. It serves businesses across multiple industries in Latin America, particularly Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, and Chile.
TheraThera is a payroll and payments platform that processes payroll, contractor payments, and business spend while earning rewards points. The platform serves startups, small businesses, and global teams, offering US payroll, international contractor payments in 150+ countries, and employer of record services for hiring across 150+ countries.
Companies working in the same space as Grade.
Legal entities · 1
corporate structureCreator Check Technology, Inc.
In the news
Frequently asked questions
- What does Grade do?
- Grade is a payment platform that automates payouts to creators across borders, handling tax compliance, KYC, and invoicing in multiple countries. It serves content creators, influencers, and UGC creators hired by companies and agencies.
- Who founded Grade?
- Grade was founded by Lotanna Ezeike, James Heaney in 2025.
- Who are Grade's investors?
- Grade's investors include Pioneer, Y Combinator, Blast.Club, JN Ventures GmbH.
- Where is Grade headquartered?
- Grade is headquartered in San Francisco, US.