Overview
Airbase is a unified spend management platform founded in 2017 (formal launch April 2019) by Thejo Kote (sole founder, previously co-founded Automatic Labs sold to SiriusXM for $115M). Acquired by Paylocity for $325 million in October 2024, Airbase was the first platform to combine bill pay, corporate cards, and reimbursements with consistent approval workflows.
Highlights
- Founder story: Thejo Kote’s Automatic Labs exit ($115M) providing entrepreneurial credibility
- “First to unify” positioning: Combined bill pay, corporate cards, reimbursements in single platform
- Consistent approval workflows: Same process regardless of spend type
- Paylocity acquisition: $325M deal (October 2024) combining spend with HCM
- G2 recognition: Ranked #1 spend management for midsize companies
- “Control your own destiny” philosophy: Consolidated platform for all non-payroll spend
- Remote-first culture: San Francisco-based but distributed workforce
- Use cases: Procurement, corporate cards, bill pay, employee reimbursements, budget management
Founded
2017 (formal launch April 2019). Founded by Thejo Kote (sole founder; previously co-founded Automatic Labs, sold to SiriusXM for $115M).
Headquarters
San Francisco (remote-first).
Ownership and funding
Acquired by Paylocity for $325M (October 2024).
Core technology
“All-in-one” unified spend management, first to combine bill pay, corporate cards, and reimbursements with consistent approval workflows.
Market position
Mid-market (100 to 5,000 employees); ranked #1 spend management for midsize on G2.
Product philosophy
“Control your own destiny”, consolidated platform for all non-payroll spend.