Zeal
Embedded payroll API for staffing, gig, and vertical SaaS platforms with real-time wage payments.
Overview
Zeal (formerly Puzzl Group Inc.) is an embedded payroll API focused on staffing platforms, gig economy operators, and vertical SaaS — markets that historically struggle with traditional payroll because of high worker turnover, multi-state compliance, and the need for same-day or real-time wage payments. Zeal's API and white-label UI let platforms launch a fully branded payroll product with embedded debit cards (issued via Mastercard with Bangor Savings Bank as FDIC-insured banking partner), real-time payments, and multi-state tax filing across all 50 US states and territories. Zeal handles the full payroll compliance stack: federal and state tax filing, W-2 and 1099 generation, ACH and same-day payments, employer KYC, and money transmitter licensing. The platform is specifically architected for platforms whose workforce changes daily (staffing, gig, marketplaces), with features like instant onboarding, per-shift payroll runs, and a paycard product that doubles as a worker bank account. Notable customers include Wonolo, Qwick, Lawtrades, Band of Hands, and WorkGenius — all staffing or gig-marketplace platforms. Founded in 2019 (YC S19) by Kirti Shenoy (CEO) and Pranshu Yadav (CTO). Headquartered in San Francisco. As of October 2024, Zeal closed a $15M Series B led by Portage Ventures, bringing total funding to $29M (Series A was $13M led by Spark Capital in 2021). The company holds SOC 2 certification. Pricing is opaque and custom for platform partners.
Key features
- Real-time and same-day payroll payments
- Embedded Mastercard paycards via Bangor Savings
- Multi-state tax filing (50 states + territories)
- Per-shift payroll runs
- Instant worker onboarding APIs
- White-label payroll UI components
Vertical focus
staffing, gig economy, saas, marketplaces
Notable customers
Wonolo, Qwick, Lawtrades, Band of Hands, WorkGenius
At a glance
| Category | payroll |
|---|---|
| Model | ["api","sdk","white_label"] |
| Pricing | ["transaction_fee","platform_fee","custom"] |
| Best company size | ["startup","smb","growth","mid_market"] |
| Time to launch | 1-3 months |
| Technical complexity | high |
| PCI scope | minimal |
| Founded | 2019 |
| Funding stage | series_b |
| Website | https://zeal.com |
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