# Promise

> Promise is an Oakland-based govtech company that modernizes how government agencies and utilities collect payments and distribute benefits. Founded in 2017 by Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins and Diana Frappier, it offers flexible, interest-free repayment plans, AI-powered fraud detection, automated benefits distribution, and income verification - all designed to make public systems work better for both agencies and the residents they serve.

- **Founded:** 2017
- **Headquarters:** Oakland, California, United States
- **Founders:** Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins (Co-Founder & CEO), Diana Frappier (Co-Founder & CLO)
- **Team size:** ~80-200 employees
- **Products:** PromisePay, PromiseBenefits, PromiseAudit, PromiseVerified
- **Notable:** Fast Company World's Most Innovative Companies, 2022, Forbes Next Billion-Dollar Startups, 2024, Y Combinator's #1 GovTech startup

## Products & services

- **PromisePay** — Flexible, interest-free payment plans that help residents stay current on government and utility bills while improving agency revenue recovery.
- **PromiseBenefits** — Automated benefits and relief program distribution - faster, more accessible, more auditable.
- **PromiseAudit** — AI-powered fraud detection and waste prevention for public systems.
- **PromiseVerified** — Smart income verification to speed up eligibility decisions for assistance programs.

## Achievements

- Fast Company World's Most Innovative Companies, 2022
- Forbes Next Billion-Dollar Startups, 2024
- Y Combinator's #1 GovTech startup
- One of the largest Series A rounds for a Black, women-led startup
- Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins named #247 on the Forbes Self-Made 250

## Latest updates

- **2024** — Named to Forbes Next Billion-Dollar Startups list.
- **2022-02** — Raised an additional $25M to expand government installment-plan platform.
- **2021-02** — Closed $20M Series A led by 8VC and XYZ Venture Capital.

## Links

- Website: https://www.promise-pay.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/joinpromise
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Promise-Pay-100066587687864/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/promise
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-05-23