Fluz leverages Remote’s contractor management platform to evolve into a finance app powerhouse
Founded in 2016, Fluz is a cashback app that departs from typical rewards programs. By harnessing social networks, it enables users to earn income whenever they — or someone in their network — make a purchase, guided by the motto “the more you spend, the more you earn.”
As the company has expanded, so have its ambitions. Pursuing the goal of becoming a one-stop financial app — extending well beyond cashback — Fluz requires the expertise of top fintech talent worldwide and therefore a proven, dependable global HR partner.
Why Fluz partners with Remote to hire globally at scale while staying compliant and flexible at every stage.
Fluz at a glance
Headquarters: New York
Founded: 2016
Number of contractors with Remote: 24
Industry: Fintech
Originally, Fluz’s entire team — including founders, engineers, and designers — was based in New York. When the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, the business shifted to a remote work policy while simultaneously coping with a rapid increase in app users and staff.
Around the same time, two key team members decided to relocate to Canada — which is when Remote first became involved. Fluz needed a compliant way to accommodate the move and ensure everything was handled correctly.
"Remote was instrumental in retaining these two employees within the business," says Amador Pilapil, Fluz’s Head of People. "They handled the contracts, paperwork, and compliance, and it was a huge relief to have it all managed for us. They guided us through each step, and the whole process felt effortless."
That positive beginning made it clear to Fluz that Remote could also help solve other challenges the company faced.
Making the most of the world’s top contractor talent
To sustain its fast growth, Fluz was already engaging contractors in the US and overseas. However, the contractor management process remained manual, opaque, and unable to scale.
For example, Fluz was performing identity checks and processing paperwork for all contractors, including personal data and contractor agreements. Pilapil notes this consumed several hours each week and introduced risks of human error. The company needed a more resilient solution.
"When we saw that Remote was offering a contractor management platform, we decided to transfer our international contractors," says Pilapil. "The impact was immediate."
Beyond removing time-consuming administrative tasks, the switch allowed Fluz to scale its international contractor base rapidly. With much of the customer care team located in the Philippines, the model is practical and effective.
"We receive a high level of support from our contractors that’s on par with domestic-level service," Pilapil explains. "As a result, we can hire excellent people to support our operations while creating opportunities for those who truly need them. It’s a very successful model for our business."
A more efficient approach
Remote’s Contractor Management platform also helped Fluz streamline payments and remove the quirks of its previous manual setup.
"We discovered occasions where contractors had actually left the business, but the automatic wire transfer for payment would continue," says Pilapil. "We required a better process."
With Remote, Fluz can now bulk-settle monthly invoices in each contractor’s local currency with a few clicks. Instead of handling one-off ad-hoc wire transfers, invoices are uploaded to Remote, approved, and consolidated into each contractor’s total monthly payment. The flow is fast and removes repeated back-and-forth when paying expenses.
Remote gives us complete control over how we manage contractors. The modest monthly fee is a small price for the assurance that we’re paying people correctly, compliantly, and efficiently.
Trust, transparency, and security
For Fluz, finding the right contractor and building trust are essential.
"Remote helps us achieve this because it’s a professional platform that encourages accountability on the contractor’s side," says Pilapil. "They must upload all required documents and can view their history in one place. Overall, communication has become far clearer."
Remote also gives contractors a transparent interface where they can upload invoices, view transaction history, and see exactly when and how they will be paid.
"The feedback from our contractors has been overwhelmingly positive," Pilapil says. "They appreciate not having to email me for invoice copies, requests, or to update their details."
"Remote makes our contractors’ lives easier. It’s a win all round."
Fluz can also process contractors’ personally-identifiable information securely, which is especially important for a fintech company.
"It’s a much slicker process than what we had before," Pilapil says. "Contractors no longer email us sensitive data such as ID scans, bank account numbers, or withdrawal methods."
By managing its international contractor base through Remote, Fluz no longer needs to worry about worker misclassification or legal compliance. Remote guarantees that paperwork and payment methods comply with labor and taxation laws in each country, giving Fluz the confidence to pursue global expansion.
A helping hand
For Pilapil, much of that confidence is rooted in Remote’s experience, expertise, and strong support.
"I don’t have a background in international hiring, but the team at Remote is always available to talk things through and clarify details," he says. "We were apprehensive because there’s a lot to consider, but their in-house experts put our minds at ease."
"Our account manager is always available and will either send contextual emails or offer a quick call to address questions. I truly value that flexibility and partnership."
Remote’s excellent support is one of the reasons we expanded our relationship with them.
Scalability is another crucial element of the collaboration — especially for a rapidly growing startup like Fluz.
"What makes Remote stand out from other platforms is that it is 100% scalable and reliable," says Pilapil. "Onboarding, managing, and paying both employees and contractors is so simple. Once we set people up, we don’t have to worry about it anymore — it’s brilliant."
What's next for Fluz
Fluz has ambitious plans for product expansion, and company growth is central to delivering those plans. For Pilapil, that means recruiting engineers globally, with a particular focus on Europe.
"We know that we’ll have full support from the whole team at Remote to navigate new countries and their various labor laws," he says. "Having that partnership as we scale the business is very reassuring."
In the meantime, Pilapil is reflecting on how far the company has come and the positive influence Remote has provided.
"I’m proud of everything we’ve accomplished," he concludes. "I look forward to expanding our partnership and bringing Fluz to new customers around the world."
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