Grade (YC W26)

Grade is a San Francisco fintech (YC Winter 2026) building an API and platform for performance-based payroll. Instead of paying by the hour, companies use Grade to pay creators, contractors, and AI agents based on results - tasks completed, targets hit, work delivered - while Grade automatically tracks performance, calculates payouts, and handles KYC, tax forms (including DAC7), invoicing, and global payments across 190+ countries. Founded by repeat founders Lotanna Ezeike (ex-Barclays, ex-XPO) and James Heaney, the company reports $10M+ paid out and named customers including Astra AI, Valid, and Hayai Learn.