Velocity Global Strengthens Position as Global Employment Leader Through Shield GEO Merger

Denver, July 2021 — Velocity Global has concluded its second major strategic transaction this year, bringing Shield GEO into its expanding global workforce management ecosystem. The deal, finalized using capital from a $100 million growth investment secured from FFL Partners earlier in the year, represents the company’s accelerated expansion following its acquisition of iWorkGlobal in April.

Market Opportunity Driving Rapid Expansion

The global employment landscape is undergoing unprecedented transformation. With the “future of work” market valued at $4.5 trillion according to Staffing Industry Analysts’ 2020 analysis, established players are positioning themselves to capture this shift. Velocity Global’s dual acquisition strategy this year reflects the market’s demand for comprehensive, scalable workforce solutions.

“The past 18 months fundamentally redefined how organizations approach employment,” explained Ben Wright, Velocity Global’s founder and CEO. “This extends far beyond remote work flexibility. Companies now face new complexities around talent acquisition, retention, revenue growth, and supporting employees with improved work-life balance. Our platform directly addresses these evolved needs.”

Consolidated Scale and Operational Reach

The combined entity now serves over 1,000 enterprise clients while managing employment relationships for more than 7,000 workers globally. This expanded footprint positions the company as the dominant global Employer of Record (EoR), with operations spanning 185 countries and all 50 U.S. states.

Velocity Global’s operational model provides in-country compliance, payroll administration, and benefits management across its entire service geography. Beyond traditional EoR services, the platform delivers Independent Contractor Compliance assessments and streamlined Agent of Record solutions for global contractor payments.

Shield GEO, headquartered in Hong Kong with established offices in the U.K. and Australia, brings 75 experienced professionals into the organization. Duncan Macintosh and Tim Burgess, Shield GEO’s co-founders, will lead the integration process while reporting to Wright under the unified Velocity Global brand.

Strategic Rationale and Leadership Perspective

Cas Schneller, FFL Managing Partner, emphasized the logic behind this consolidation: “Velocity Global’s profitable growth trajectory creates a strong foundation for targeted acquisitions. Both recent deals involved profitable, operationally mature businesses at a moment when market scale is essential. This positions Velocity Global as the clear category leader in the future of work economy.”

The co-founders highlighted alignment in operational philosophy. “We’ve maintained organic growth principles throughout our history,” noted Macintosh. “Combining Shield GEO’s international footprint with Velocity Global’s capabilities multiplies expansion opportunities for our entire team.”

Burgess added, “Our long-standing relationship with Ben and the Velocity Global team reflects shared perspectives on customer service and employee experience. Both organizations prioritize human-centered solutions. This merger amplifies what our combined teams can deliver to the market.”

Technical Infrastructure and Platform Capability

Velocity Global’s differentiated proposition combines cloud-based workforce management technology with specialized regional expertise and unparalleled geographic scale. The platform automates routine administrative functions while connecting users with dedicated support teams for customized solutions.

The merged company will expand its legal entity footprint to include 50 wholly owned foreign operations across primary international markets by year’s end. This structural expansion complements the technology foundation, enabling sophisticated multinational workforce management without requiring clients to establish independent foreign entities.

Founded in 2014, Velocity Global maintains operational teams across 27 countries and was recognized as a “Leader” in Global Employer of Record services by analyst firm NelsonHall. The Shield GEO acquisition marks a significant milestone in the company’s trajectory from startup to category-defining enterprise platform.