ActiveHours is a new Palo Alto startup which aims to divert business from payday lenders by eliminating the very concept of a payday. The startup, which recently raised $4.1 million, distributes an app that allows hourly workers to immediately access pay they’ve already earned, without having to wait for their employer’s standard pay cycle. Users can see how much money they have earned and transfer any percentage of it into their bank account, essentially giving the user a cash advance. When payday rolls around, ActiveHours withdraws the same amount from the user’s account. ActiveHours charges no fees for the service and makes money on tips, asking users to pay whatever they want. It remains to be seen whether the tip-based model will be sustainable in the long term.