Challenge

The explosive growth of AI has created a growing work category: AI model training, which involves writing test prompts and reviewing responses for accuracy. Handshake, a San Francisco–based career platform founded in 2014, sits at the intersection of universities and employers and has spent over a decade preparing the next generation for the workforce. When AI began redefining the labor market, Handshake moved to meet the moment: in January 2025, it launched Handshake AI, offering expert human model validation and technology systems for frontier AI development. The platform connects highly educated, highly skilled people with work that advances foundational model development, giving experts a way to monetize their knowledge and build key AI skills.

As activity on the Handshake AI platform accelerated, the company set its sights on elevating the experience for trainers end to end, from sign-up to payday. Handshake AI’s original payout setup experience redirected potential trainers to a third-party site to complete onboarding steps like verifying identity, filling out tax forms, and e-signing lengthy digital contracts. These time-consuming steps caused 60% of applicants to drop off before completing the process. The system also made it hard for Handshake AI to issue payouts on a regular, predictable schedule.

“The lack of integration into our core product created a very disjointed user experience,” said Brendan O’Connell, product lead at Handshake AI.

Handshake AI set out to find a new payout provider, prioritizing a simpler sign-up and information collection process to boost conversions, remove friction, and continue to provide a seamless onboarding experience. The company also needed a partner with global reach, support for multiple currencies to enable the company’s worldwide expansion, and a reliable way to schedule recurring payouts so trainers would know when to expect payment.

Solution

In December 2025, Handshake AI chose Stripe to provide the infrastructure for its new payout system.

The company used Stripe Global Payouts—an easier, faster, and less expensive way for companies to send money to a variety of recipients worldwide—to embed a secure, intuitive payout experience in its platform. Instead of lengthy onboarding, Global Payouts offers hosted information collection that allows users to share personal and financial details and select a preferred payout method and currency in just a few clicks.

To accelerate information collection, Global Payouts relies on Stripe Financial Connections to let trainers connect their payout bank account in just a few clicks via bank login, rather than typing in their account details manually. Handshake AI also chose to enable Link, a digital wallet built by Stripe, as a way for trainers to autofill their payout bank account details using credentials already saved to the Link network. Once trainers are registered, Global Payouts automatically handles currency conversion and cross-border compliance for payouts.

Handshake AI also adopted Stripe Treasury to manage and centralize the backend of its payout system. The company deposits funds into its Treasury account, then pays each trainer what they’ve earned through Global Payouts. This flexible approach lets Handshake AI issue payouts every Wednesday, while also keeping those payouts separate from other parts of the business.

Results

Handshake AI increases sign-up completion to 95%

By simplifying the sign-up process and introducing automated bank account verification with Global Payouts, Handshake AI improved its recipient sign-up outcomes. Today, 95% of applicants complete the process, up from an estimated 60% completion rate with the company’s previous provider.

Handshake AI grows exponentially since adopting Global Payouts

Handshake AI scaled its new payout system quickly, distributing millions within four months of moving to Stripe. The company continues to grow rapidly, now processing over $15 million in weekly payouts and providing its AI training workforce with a reliable, consistent pay schedule.

“Our user base cares about accuracy and speed of payments, and the flexibility to be paid in the currency that makes sense for them,” said Rahul Mody, engineering manager at Handshake AI. “Global Payouts checks all those boxes.”

Expansion into new markets streamlined by Stripe’s global reach

AI labs are increasingly looking to localize model performance around the globe—and Handshake AI provides the network of domain experts to make it possible. Global Payouts provides automated support for currency conversion and cross-border compliance, making it simple for Handshake AI to accommodate these needs. The team can now add a new country and begin issuing payouts there with ease.