in February 2021. Promise’s investors include Kapor Capital, XYZ, Bronze, First Round, Y Combinator, 8VC, Village, Backstage, Gaingels, Bumble, and more.
For Ellis-Lamkins, partnerships have been key at every step of the way. She describes her co-founder, Frappier, as a genius at systems and ethics who complements her expertise in execution. “I always want to work with her. She’s not only a genius, but she’s an incredible balance for my skills. I feel really lucky,” she said.
Ellis-Lamkins credits that efficiency to the accessible model Promise uses. Their service is online and available 24 hours; clients don’t have to provide tax information if they are already payees of a partnering agency; and clients have access to broad range of payment options. Promise is breaking ground for debt management, but Ellis-Lamkins is also using the company to blaze a trail for Black women entrepreneurs and professionals and make tech a better resource for underserved communities.