PTO Exchange
PTO Exchange is a Woodinville, Washington-based benefits technology company that enables employees at 150+ US organizations to convert unused paid time off into cash, retirement contributions, student loan payments, HSA contributions, charitable donations, and other financial outcomes via an IRS-compliant, patented platform.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersWoodinville, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What PTO Exchange does
PTO Exchange is a Woodinville, Washington-based benefits technology company founded in 2013 that operates a web and mobile platform allowing employees to convert unused paid time off into financial outcomes including cash, 401(k)/403(b) retirement contributions, student loan payments, HSA contributions, charitable donations, leave sharing, travel rewards, and voluntary benefits. The company serves employers across the United States (notably healthcare systems such as Spencer Hospital, SAC Health, and Easterseals, alongside enterprises like Fairway Mortgage) with a stated base of 150+ partner organizations representing more than $1 billion in PTO value and 198,583 active users. Its core technology stack is anchored by US Patent 10,108,933 B1 and IRS private letter rulings that the company describes as making it the only patented and legally compliant PTO exchange platform, supported by payroll system integrations that automate the exchange process.
The product suite spans the core PTO Exchange module, LPA Exchange (Life Planning Accounts organized around four wellbeing pillars), Savings Exchange, PTO Early Access (same-day liquidity against earned PTO), Recurring Exchanges (automated periodic conversions), a mobile app launched in July 2024, Leave Sharing, and a Giving Exchange for charitable donations. Revenue is generated through a 7.5% transaction fee applied at the point of each exchange, which the company structures as self-funding with no net cost to the employer.
Go-to-market is hybrid: a direct enterprise sales motion led by VP of Sales Josh Reinhard targeting HR and Finance leaders, combined with a channel partner program that revenue-shares with insurance brokers (Alliant, Aon, OneDigital, AssuredPartners, Hylant), benefits consultants (NFP, BAN, Corestream), HR technology providers (Alight), and technology integrators (Paycor, Aptia, Savi). The company has raised $8.4 million in total disclosed funding, including a $5.4 million seed round led by TTV Capital in March 2022, and operates with a lean team of 11-50 employees under co-founders Rob Whalen (CEO) and Todd Lucas (CTO).
PTO Exchange firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- PTO Exchange
- Legal name
- PTO, Inc.
- Website
- https://ptoexchange.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- PTO Exchange is a Woodinville, Washington-based benefits technology company that enables employees at 150+ US organizations to convert unused paid time off into cash, retirement contributions, student loan payments, HSA contributions, charitable donations, and other financial outcomes via an IRS-compliant, patented platform.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
PTO Exchange industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Employee Benefits Technology
- akta.pro primary industry
- Benefits Administration (BPACAPAC)
Keywords
Where PTO Exchange is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Woodinville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
PTO Exchange business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Transaction Fee (7.5% Service Charge): PTO Exchange charges an IRS-compliant 7.5% service fee applied at the time of each employee exchange. This fee is embedded in the exchange transaction itself and is paid by the employee or deducted from the exchange value. The employer incurs no net cost as the program is self-funding through this transaction fee.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Enterprise pricing for organizations with 150+ partner relationships |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
PTO Exchange product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PTO Exchange operates a patented, IRS-compliant web and mobile platform that enables employees at subscribing organizations to convert unused accrued paid time off into cash, 401(k)/403(b) retirement contributions, student loan payments, HSA contributions, charitable donations, savings deposits, and leave-sharing donations. The platform is delivered to employers primarily through direct sales and broker/consultant channel partners, generating revenue via a 7.5% transaction fee per exchange.
Product overview
PTO Exchange operates as a unified employee benefits platform centered on its core PTO Exchange product, which allows employees to convert unused accrued paid time off into valuable financial and charitable benefits. The platform architecture includes several integrated modules: LPA Exchange (Life Planning Accounts) for holistic wellbeing spending, Savings Exchange for directing funds to savings accounts, and Giving Exchange for charitable donations. The platform is powered by IRS-compliant private letter rulings and US Patent 10,108,933 B1, distinguishing it as the only patented PTO exchange solution of its kind. Recent additions include PTO Early Access for faster fund access, a mobile app for on-the-go management, and Recurring Exchanges for automated transactions. The company positions its offering as a zero-net-cost benefit that simultaneously addresses employee financial wellness while reducing employer PTO liability on the balance sheet.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- PTO Exchange: Core platform allowing employees to exchange unused PTO for cash, retirement contributions, student loan payments, HSA contributions, charitable donations, leave-sharing, travel rewards, and voluntary benefits.
- LPA Exchange
- Savings Exchange
- PTO Early Access
Products and services
- PTO Exchange Core patented platform enabling employees at subscribing employers to convert unused accrued paid time off into cash, 401(k)/403(b) retirement contributions, student loan payments, HSA contributions, charitable donations, and travel rewards. The platform is IRS-compliant via private letter rulings and holds US Patent 10,108,933 B1.
- LPA Exchange (Life Planning Accounts) Life Planning Account exchange functionality that allows employees to allocate PTO value toward life planning purposes, supporting the four pillars of wellbeing: physical, emotional, social, and financial.
- Savings Exchange Enables employees to direct unused PTO value into savings accounts, helping build emergency reserves and financial security.
- PTO Exchange Mobile App Mobile application allowing customers to make exchanges and manage their PTO balance on the go, extending platform accessibility beyond web access.
- Giving Exchange Enables employees to donate the value of unused PTO to over 1.7 million charitable causes and non-profits, with optional employer matching.
Quantifiable outcome
- 54% reduction in employee turnover among platform users
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use PTO Exchange
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
PTO Exchange technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
PTO Exchange partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- PaycorcoreStrategic partnership with Paycor to extend PTO Exchange platform reach. Paycor is a human capital management solutions provider.
- Aptia GroupcoreStrategic partnership with Aptia Group to extend PTO Exchange platform reach. Aptia Group provides benefits administration services.
- SavicoreStrategic partnership with Savi to extend PTO Exchange platform reach. Savi provides student loan optimization services.
- New Jersey Hospital AssociationcorePartnership with New Jersey Hospital Association to bring flexible benefits to healthcare workers in New Jersey.
- Ohio Hospital AssociationcorePartnership with Ohio Hospital Association to enhance employee benefits in healthcare sector across Ohio.
- Minnesota Hospital AssociationcoreAssociate member partnership with Minnesota Hospital Association to bring flexible PTO benefits to healthcare workers in Minnesota.
- AlightcorePartner profile featuring Alight, a human capital management solutions provider. Partnership enables PTO Exchange integration with Alight's benefits platform.
- NFPcoreNFP is an organization of consultative advisors helping companies address workforce challenges. Features VP Julie Baney-Curran with 30+ years of industry experience.
- Alliant Insurance ServicescoreAlliant Insurance Services is one of the nation's leading insurance brokerage firms and top 5 largest US brokers with over 130 offices nationwide.
- Ascendium (Attigo)coreAscendium is a mission-driven nonprofit investing over $100 million annually in education and training. Their Attigo suite includes student loan benefits. 55+ years of student loan expertise.
- Benefit Advisors Network (BAN)coreBAN is a powerhouse supporting privately held employee benefit brokerage firms with growth strategies, proprietary resources, and collaborative learning.
- AssuredPartnerscoreLeading national brokerage firm with offices across 35 states and two countries. Specializes in tailored insurance solutions and innovative products.
- HylantcoreHylant strengthens businesses through personalized risk management and insurance programs with high-touch service and data-driven approach.
- CorestreamcoreCorestream is a no-cost voluntary benefits and employee discounts platform. Partnership gives employees another lever to pull for financial needs.
- OneDigitalcoreOneDigital is an insurance brokerage firm featured in partner profile spotlight. Senior Business Development Executive Josh Kampa leads engagement.
- AoncoreAon is a professional services firm providing risk consulting, insurance brokerage, and benefits solutions. Featured through partner profile with Health Solutions Specialist.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
PTO Exchange competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Benefitfocus: Benefitfocus is a benefits administration platform sold to employers and brokers. It is directly comparable to PTO Exchange because both operate benefits technology infrastructure connecting employers, employees, and benefits providers, with a focus on managing non-cash benefit offerings.
- BenefitHub: BenefitHub runs a voluntary benefits and employee discounts marketplace used by employers and brokers. It is directly comparable as an exchange-style benefits platform monetizing employee utilization of employer-offered benefits, similar to PTO Exchange's transactional revenue model.
- Gusto: Gusto provides payroll, HR, and benefits administration for SMBs and mid-market employers. It is comparable to PTO Exchange as a modern HR/benefits platform with payroll integrations and broker-channel distribution, and represents both a competitor and integration partner for PTO Exchange.
- Zenefits: Zenefits offers a unified HR, benefits, and payroll platform with broker-channel sales. It is comparable to PTO Exchange as a benefits technology vendor targeting HR leaders and brokers, with overlapping customer segments and payroll-system integration points.
- BambooHR: BambooHR is an HR platform for SMB and mid-market employers covering employee records, benefits, and time-off. It is directly comparable because PTO management is a core BambooHR function, making it a natural incumbent or partner for PTO Exchange's PTO exchange offering.
- Enrich Financial Wellness: Enrich is a financial wellness platform offered through employer benefits programs. It is comparable to PTO Exchange as an employee financial wellness solution that helps employees optimize benefit usage and is distributed via HR/benefits channels.
Broad incumbents
- ADP: ADP is a global payroll and HR services incumbent with deep employer penetration. It is comparable to PTO Exchange as the system of record for PTO/payroll data and a potential competitive threat if it bundles PTO exchange features into its existing platform.
- Paychex: Paychex is a large payroll, HR, and benefits administration incumbent serving SMBs. It is comparable to PTO Exchange as a benefits platform with broker distribution and could compete or partner with PTO Exchange on PTO exchange functionality.
- Personify Health: Personify Health (formerly Virgin Pulse/Castlight) operates a personalized health, wellbeing, and benefits navigation platform. It is comparable to PTO Exchange as an employer-paid benefits/wellness platform aimed at improving retention and financial wellness.
Others
- Mercer: Mercer is a global consulting and brokerage firm in health, wealth, and career. It is comparable to PTO Exchange as a key broker/consultant intermediary that channels benefits technology decisions for mid-market and enterprise employers.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
PTO Exchange social profiles
Digital presencePTO Exchange financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
PTO Exchange leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
PTO Exchange funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors7 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
PTO Exchange M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about PTO Exchange
What does PTO Exchange do?
PTO Exchange operates a patented, IRS-compliant web and mobile platform that enables employees at subscribing organizations to convert unused accrued paid time off into cash, 401(k)/403(b) retirement contributions, student loan payments, HSA contributions, charitable donations, savings deposits, and leave-sharing donations. The platform is delivered to employers primarily through direct sales and broker/consultant channel partners, generating revenue via a 7.5% transaction fee per exchange.
Is PTO Exchange a public or private company?
PTO Exchange is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was PTO Exchange founded?
PTO Exchange was founded in 2013. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is PTO Exchange based?
PTO Exchange is headquartered in Woodinville, United States, in the North America region.
How does PTO Exchange make money?
One revenue line is on record: transaction Fee (7.5% Service Charge).
Who are PTO Exchange's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Benefitfocus, BenefitHub, Gusto, Zenefits, BambooHR and Enrich Financial Wellness. Broad incumbents are ADP, Paychex and Personify Health. Mercer is listed as an others.
Does PTO Exchange have an API?
No public API is recorded for PTO Exchange.
What industry is PTO Exchange in?
PTO Exchange's product category is Employee Benefits Technology. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPACAPAC, Benefits Administration.