Pebl

Pebl, formerly known as Velocity Global, is a global workforce management company that simplifies international hiring for businesses. Founded in 2014 by Ben Wright, the Denver-based firm was established to address the complexities companies face when expanding globally and hiring talent without a local legal presence. Wright, a first-time entrepreneur with a background in accounting and international business, identified the need for a streamlined solution and created the company to act as a partner for global expansion. The company operates on an Employer of Record (EOR) model, legally employing workers in over 185 countries on behalf of its clients. This allows businesses of all sizes, from high-growth startups to Fortune 500 enterprises, to compliantly hire, pay, and manage international employees without the significant cost and time required to establish local entities. Pebl's services cover the entire employee lifecycle, including handling employment contracts, onboarding, global payroll, benefits administration, immigration, and ensuring compliance with local labor laws and tax regulations. In September 2025, Velocity Global rebranded to Pebl, marking a strategic shift to an "AI-first" approach. The core of its offering is the Pebl platform, an AI-powered, human-led system that integrates with existing HRIS, HCM, and ATS technologies. A key feature is an AI assistant named Alfie, which provides vetted compliance and legal answers in over 50 languages, reducing reliance on external consultations. The platform is designed for a self-serve experience, allowing clients to get instant quotes, explore new markets, and begin hiring in minutes. Since its founding, the company has seen rapid growth, highlighted by a $400 million Series B funding round in 2022, which led to a multi-billion dollar valuation. It has also expanded through strategic acquisitions, including iWorkGlobal and Shield GEO in 2021, to enhance its service capabilities. Pebl is consistently recognized as a leader in the EOR industry by analyst firms and holds more employment licenses than its competitors, with a strong focus on compliance and infrastructure. Keywords: Employer of Record, EOR, Pebl, Velocity Global, global work platform, international hiring, global payroll, remote work, compliance management, Ben Wright, AI-powered HR, Alfie AI, global expansion, distributed teams, workforce management, Agent of Record, AOR, HR tech, global talent acquisition, international PEO, contractor management, global mobility, Series B, iWorkGlobal, Shield GEO, Frank Calderoni, global employment