What HigherRing does

HigherRing Inc. is a privately held, California Public Benefit Corporation and certified B Corporation founded in 2017 by Michelle Hirons and Susan Hopkinson in the San Francisco Bay Area, operating as a managed business process outsourcing (BPO) provider exclusively for impact-driven organizations. The company delivers four core service lines — Customer and Application Support, eCommerce and Wholesale Operations, Business and Marketing Operations, and Bookkeeping and Financial Operations — each structured in three pricing tiers plus optional add-ons (e.g., enrolled-agent tax services). All specialists are employed as W2 staff rather than 1099 contractors and are eligible for healthcare, ownership, paid time off, and at minimum a living wage, a structural differentiator that has earned HigherRing B Corp, 1% for the Planet, Climate Neutral, Living Wage For US Tier I Plus, WBENC, People + Planet First, and California PBC credentials.

The technology approach is built on best-in-class third-party SaaS rather than a proprietary platform: Xero for accounting, Cin7/Dear for inventory, Shopify/Amazon Seller Central/Faire for commerce, Gorgias for support, HubSpot/Pipedrive for CRM, Airtable/Notion/Coda for operations, and AI tools (including Writesonic) are layered into bookkeeping, content, and workflow automation under human review. The company holds a Xero Bronze partnership and integrates AI-powered bookkeeping tools with skilled human accountants for accuracy and compliance.

HigherRing's revenue model is recurring managed-services revenue on monthly subscription contracts, with tiered pricing starting at $400/month for tactical financial operations and $1,800–$2,552/month for business and eCommerce tiers. Sales is consultative and direct, with website-driven discovery calls, supplemented by referral flow from the B Corp / 1% for the Planet ecosystem and a named set of B2B partners. The company publicly references 25+ mission-driven client organizations and management of $100M+ in annual client financial operations, and the customer base skews toward small CPG, beauty, and household brands with select mid-market anchors such as ZEGO Foods (since 2017). HigherRing has not disclosed external funding and appears to operate on a bootstrapped, founder-owned basis with a distributed team of roughly 30 across 31 US states and 2 Canadian provinces.

Name

HigherRing

Legal name

HigherRing Inc.

Website

https://higherring.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

HigherRing is a B Corp-certified managed outsourcing firm that provides dedicated, W2-employed specialists in customer support, eCommerce operations, business operations, and bookkeeping exclusively to impact-driven companies and mission-driven brands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Process Outsourcing Services

NAICS

Temporary Help Services (561320), Professional Employer Organizations (561330), Payroll Services (541214)

SIC

Services-Help Supply Services (7363), Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)

akta.pro primary industry

Agent of Record (AOR) / Contractor Engagement Services (BPACAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Employee Onboarding & Offboarding Administration (BPAAAIAA), Contractor Benefits & Perks Administration (BPACAGAJ), Time, Expense & Timesheet Management for Contractors (BPACAGAK)

Keywords

• Ethical outsourcing services
• Managed business process outsourcing
• Bookkeeping financial operations
• Ecommerce operations management
• Executive assistance services

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Managed Back-Office Operations Services: HigherRing generates revenue through managed BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) service contracts where clients pay monthly fees for dedicated specialist support across customer service, eCommerce operations, business/financial operations, and executive assistance. Pricing is tiered based on service level (Essential, Strategic, Advanced) and hours committed. The company employs all team members as W2 employees and handles all HR, payroll, benefits, and compliance — the client pays a managed service fee. Clients can also hire team members directly (direct placement fee model). Revenue is recurring in nature as engagements typically span ongoing operations support.
2. Tax Preparation & Filing Services: HigherRing offers enrolled agent services for comprehensive tax preparation and filing as an add-on to bookkeeping and financial operations. This includes year-round tax planning, federal and state tax return filing, quarterly estimated tax payments, sales tax compliance, 1099/W-2 preparation, and tax deadline management. This represents a professional services upsell for existing bookkeeping clients.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

HigherRing provides fully managed ethical outsourcing services for impact-driven organizations, placing dedicated W2-employed specialists across four service lines: Customer and Application Support, Bookkeeping and Financial Operations, Business and Marketing Operations, and eCommerce and Wholesale Operations. Engagements are available on fractional (starting at 10 hours/week), full-time, or redundant team models with monthly tiered pricing. The model contrasts with traditional outsourcing by treating all team members as employees eligible for healthcare, paid time off, and at minimum a living wage.

Product overview

HigherRing provides ethical outsourcing services for impact-driven companies through a unified managed services platform offering four core service areas: Customer and Application Support, Bookkeeping and Financial Operations, Business and Marketing Operations, and eCommerce and Wholesale Operations. Services are structured in tiered levels (typically three tiers) with flexible staffing models ranging from fractional part-time support to full-time dedicated team members. Financial Operations includes three levels from tactical AP/AR to controller-level strategic management plus tax services. Business Operations offers EA1 and EA2 assistant tiers plus three pricing tiers (Tier 1-3). eCommerce Operations similarly offers three tiers from essential operations to advanced strategic planning. All services leverage global talent with US-first strategy and integrate AI tools with human expertise.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Customer and Application Support Fully managed omnichannel customer service and technical application support for impact-driven organizations, including inquiry management, troubleshooting of complex issues, and ensuring seamless customer experiences from inquiry through resolution.
• Bookkeeping and Financial Operations Complete back-office financial management including full-charge bookkeeping, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll processing, account reconciliation, month-end close, financial reporting, KPI tracking, budgeting support, CPA coordination, and CFO-level advisory. Tiered across tactical, full-charge, and controller-level offerings.
• Business and Marketing Operations Strategic operational support including executive assistance, project coordination, CRM management, workflow optimization, content creation, marketing operations, sales pipeline support, brand development, and thought leadership execution. Delivered via dedicated EA1 and EA2 specialists and three tiered packages starting at 10 hours/week.
• eCommerce and Wholesale Operations Seamless order fulfillment, inventory management, wholesale operations, and marketplace support for CPG, beauty, outdoor, household, and apparel brands across Shopify, Amazon Seller Central, Faire, and 3PL partners. Covers demand planning, production planning, supply chain coordination, and EDI integration across three operational tiers.
• Tax Preparation and Filing Services Tax services offered as an add-on to bookkeeping engagements, delivered through enrolled agents and including year-round tax planning, federal and state tax return filing, quarterly estimated tax payments, sales tax compliance, and 1099/W-2 preparation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 94% of surveyed clients rated their satisfaction with HigherRing services at 5/5 stars in the 2024 Annual Client Happiness Survey.
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers21 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration24 records

AI capability3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• EcosendcoreTechnology or Integration · 20 May 2025HigherRing switched its email marketing platform from an undisclosed provider to Ecosend (ecosend.io), a climate-conscious email marketing platform that reduces the environmental footprint of digital communications. Ecosend aligns with HigherRing's B Corp, 1% for the Planet, and Climate Neutral certifications. The switch was announced publicly in May 2025 as part of HigherRing's commitment to sustainability at the source.
• XerocoreTechnology or IntegrationHigherRing is a Xero Bronze Partner, leveraging Xero's cloud accounting platform to deliver best-in-class bookkeeping solutions for clients. Xero's commitment to environmental responsibility and support for small business carbon accounting through Sumday aligns with HigherRing's mission. This partnership provides HigherRing clients with a best-in-class accounting platform as part of the financial operations service.
• Bonneville Environmental FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigherRing's carbon offset partner. Under California's Voluntary Carbon Market Disclosures Act (AB 1305), HigherRing discloses its offset projects through the Bonneville Environmental Foundation. HigherRing's 2023 offsets were through the Ningxia Xiangshan Wind Farm Project (Verra VCS1867), estimated at 727,982 metric tons CO₂e annually.
• Oliver RussellcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOliver Russell is a B Corp marketing and branding strategy firm that partnered with HigherRing on its rebranding initiative (alongside RoundPeg). The company provides marketing and branding strategy services to HigherRing and is referenced as one of HigherRing's preferred vendors for B Corps seeking ethical service providers.
• RoundPegcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRoundPeg is a B Corp partner that supported HigherRing's rebranding initiative alongside Oliver Russell, providing brand design services. RoundPeg is referenced as one of HigherRing's preferred vendors for B Corps seeking ethical service providers.
• Cultivating CapitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultivating Capital is a B Corp that provides B Corp certification consulting services. HigherRing contracted with Cultivating Capital for B Corp certification support.
• HoneybeeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHoneybee is a sibling B Corp providing financial coaching services, education, and 0% loans. HigherRing offers Honeybee's financial coaching services as a benefit to its employees, aligning with HigherRing's mission to support employee financial wellness.
• Better LawminorOthersBetter Law is a B Corp providing trademark law services. HigherRing contracted with Better Law for trademark law services.
• BackMarketminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBackMarket is a vendor that HigherRing uses for refurbished computer hardware, demonstrating the company's commitment to sustainability even in its IT procurement.
• San Francisco BaykeepercoreOthersAs part of its 1% for the Planet commitment, HigherRing supports San Francisco Baykeeper, an organization dedicated to defending the San Francisco Bay from pollution and advocating for clean water. The Bay Area is HigherRing's company's birthplace. SF Baykeeper has been protecting Bay ecosystems for over 30 years.
• Good MarketcoreTechnology or IntegrationGood Market is the verification platform through which HigherRing was officially verified by People + Planet First. The Good Market verification process required HigherRing to prove it prioritizes people and the planet over short-term profit maximization.
• JustworkscoreTechnology or IntegrationJustworks is HigherRing's PEO (Professional Employer Organization) partner, providing HR, benefits administration, and payroll services. Justworks enables HigherRing to offer comprehensive benefits (health, dental, vision, HSA/FSA, 401k, PTO, paid sick time) to employees across 31 US states and 2 Canadian provinces. Justworks also introduces new benefit options to HigherRing's offerings.
• ShopifycoreTechnology or IntegrationShopify is a core eCommerce platform supported by HigherRing's commerce operations team. HigherRing manages Shopify stores for DTC clients including product listing maintenance, SEO optimization, and order management.
• Amazon Seller CentralcoreTechnology or IntegrationAmazon Seller Central is a key marketplace platform supported by HigherRing's eCommerce operations team. HigherRing manages Amazon Seller Central accounts including inventory management, replenishment planning, and order troubleshooting.
• FairecoreTechnology or IntegrationFaire is a wholesale marketplace platform supported by HigherRing's commerce operations. HigherRing manages Faire wholesale platform accounts for clients seeking to grow wholesale revenue through the Faire marketplace.
• GorgiascoreTechnology or IntegrationGorgias is a CRM and telephony platform used by HigherRing's customer support operations. HigherRing implements Gorgias for clients needing unified customer service and eCommerce support, combining CRM and phone/email support management.
• Cin7/DearcoreTechnology or IntegrationCin7 (also known as Dear) is an inventory management platform used by HigherRing for eCommerce operations clients. HigherRing implemented Cin7 for clients like ZEGO Foods for inventory tracking, management, and supply chain coordination.
• HubSpotcoreTechnology or IntegrationHubSpot is a CRM and marketing automation platform used within HigherRing's business and marketing operations services. HigherRing provides CRM management and sales pipeline support using HubSpot for clients.
• AirtablecoreTechnology or IntegrationAirtable is a flexible database and project management platform used within HigherRing's operations services for workflow management, project tracking, and process documentation.
• NotioncoreTechnology or IntegrationNotion is a workspace and documentation platform used within HigherRing's business operations for process documentation, project management, and SOP creation.
• Climate Neutral (Change Climate Project)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClimate Neutral (now Change Climate Project) is the nonprofit that certified HigherRing as Climate Neutral. The certification requires annual measurement, reduction, and offset of carbon emissions. HigherRing displays the Climate Neutral badge on its website and references their certification in marketing materials.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Boldly: Boldly offers subscription-based executive assistant services for founders and executives, staffed by W2 remote assistants. Directly comparable to HigherRing's EA1/EA2 and business operations tiers, with similar dedicated-specialist positioning.
• Belay Solutions: Belay provides dedicated virtual assistants and remote staffing to US-based SMBs and mission-driven organizations. Highly comparable to HigherRing's executive assistance and business operations offerings, with a similar fractional-to-full-time managed staffing model.
• 1840 & Company: 1840 & Company provides remote staffing, BPO, and managed back-office services across customer support, bookkeeping, and operations. Comparable in multi-service managed staffing approach with global talent.
• Prialto: Prialto provides managed virtual assistant and executive support teams for executives and growing companies. Comparable in fractional-to-full-time managed support model, dedicated team member matching, and ongoing team management.
• Time Etc: Time Etc matches US/UK executives with trained virtual assistants for ongoing business support. Comparable in tiered VA services and fractional-to-full-time engagement, though more focused on hourly VA than integrated operations outsourcing.
• Wing: Wing provides dedicated remote assistants and executive support staff. Comparable fractional model and target market of founders/operators needing ongoing business operations support.

Emerging players

• Deel: Deel is a global EOR/contractor management platform enabling companies to hire internationally. Adjacent rather than directly competitive — overlaps with HigherRing's US-first staffing and HR/benefits administration, but Deel is a software platform rather than a managed services provider.
• SupportNinja: SupportNinja provides outsourced customer support, back-office, and AI-assisted operations for growth-stage companies. Comparable in providing remote managed teams with technology augmentation, but more volume-driven and less values-positioned than HigherRing.

Broad incumbents

• TaskUs: TaskUs is a publicly traded BPO provider offering customer experience, content moderation, and back-office support at scale. Overlaps with HigherRing's customer/app support and eCommerce operations, but serves a much broader enterprise market with a much larger global workforce.
• TTEC: TTEC (TeleTech) is a global customer experience BPO with services spanning customer care, sales, and digital trust & safety. Comparable to HigherRing's customer support offerings, but at massive enterprise scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about HigherRing