Finovate Debuts: Capriza Makes Enterprise Apps Uber-Easy

Finovate Debuts: Capriza Makes Enterprise Apps Uber-Easy

Capriza_homepage_Dec2015

Nobody needs a manual to use FaceBook, or a handbook to guide them through an Uber app. Why should enterprise software be any different?

Capriza turns complicated business processes into efficient, secure, mobile apps designed around the user’s workflow, not the other way around. The “mobilization” process, as the company calls it, can be finished “in a matter of days” and does not rely on coding, APIs, or integration to turn both packaged and custom solutions into technologies accessible via mobile device as readily as the desktop.

Capriza_stage_FF2015

Capriza VP of Regional Business Development Ivan Prafder demonstrated Capriza at FinovateFall 2015.

“We think of this efficiency that users have come to expect as the ‘one-minute experience,’ Ivan Prafder, Capriza VP of regional business development, said. “By this we mean those who can deliver necessary information in one minute are the winners in today’s technology economy.”

“Examples of this at the retail level abound,” he continued. “But no company today really focuses on enterprise software with this perspective in mind: an SaaS platform that enables businesses to deliver these one-minute experiences,” Prafder said. Until now.

Company facts:

  • Founded in July 2011
  • Headquartered in Palo Alto, California
  • Raised more than $53 million in funding
  • Maintains offices in North America and Europe
  • Yuval Scarlatt is CEO and co-founder

How it works

Capriza_art_1Capriza considers simplicity, personalization, and intelligence to be key factors in building the enterprise software of the future. Pointing out that training on enterprise software often takes a month or more, Capriza rejects the idea of having to “train” users to operate the software.

The technology also should be personal. “No more one-size-fits-all,” says Prafder. “SAP has 15,000 different business processes. Salesforce has 2,000,” he explained. “But in terms of the actual workflows people use, there are probably only fifteen or twenty different processes.” For Capriza, personalization is about “extracting and delivering” the workflows that are relevant to end-users.

“We all use the same app. But we use it differently and rely on different metrics,” Prafder explained. “We allow end-users to determine the metrics that matter to them.”

And finally, Prafder says, the technology has to be smart. “Legacy applications are like having to press refresh over and over just to see if you’ve got new email.”

Capriza_art_2

During their Finovate demo, Capriza Senior Solutions Engineer Stephen Insdorf showed how a CEO or manager of a business could use a Capriza-powered app to perform executive functions like requisition approval by mobile device. But the majority of the company’s presentation was dedicated to proving how easy and quick it was to build, test, and deploy a “mobilized app” with Capriza.

Insdorf showed how, with a simple combination of pull-down menus and drag-and-drop options, a designer creates features like login and approval pages. Capriza’s real-time access allows designers to work on both sides of the screen for speed and accuracy. Designers can select and automate processes on a single page as well as across pages, and individual records can be used to quickly build a template or to set fields for the entire dataset.

Capriza_art_3

“Having the functionality is great,” Insdorf said. “But delivering a crisp experience for the user is essential.” To that end, Insdorf showed how the platform’s style-tools enabled him to reconfigure data and tables in order to create different user experiences. “However you want to curate this ability for the user, you are absolutely within your capability to do this quickly and easily with our platform,” Insdorf said. Designers test their completed apps on the platform for quality assurance before using the platform to distribute it to users.

The future

Capriza has enjoyed “enormous traction” in financial services, banking, and insurance. They credit this mostly to the strict regulatory environment and the shift away from both cash and brick-and-mortar. In the first case, Capriza helps financial service professionals operate more efficiently by reducing complexity. In the second case, Capriza helps FIs and other businesses take advantage of the growth of the mobile channel and the willingness of consumers to deal more directly with technology. “In the last five to seven years, users have become true information consumers who want to interact directly with the software—without a middleman,” Prafder said.

Over the last quarter, Capriza has signed 12 customers in the financial services industry. One company in Europe has a “$3 billion transformation agenda” for which Capriza is a “key piece.” A variety of other industries have also shown interest in the technology, including government and technology, media, entertainment, and hospitality.

Capriza_art_4

Prafder said the company’s vision for the future remains centered around “delivering user-centric apps for the enterprise” without making dramatic asks on enterprise IT structure. “It’s a huge win for them,” he said. “The pain of migration isn’t there. No rip and replace.” According to Prafder, Capriza sits on top of the enterprise-application stack, focused on the 5% of critical workflows that can drive 80% to 85% of missed productivity gains. He added that Capriza is helping enterprises “leverage the richness they have already built.”


Check out Capriza’s demo video from FinovateFall 2015

Finovate Alumni News

On Finovate.com

  • Rage Frameworks Launches LiveWealth Intelligent Agent Platform”

Around the web

  • Top Image Systems secures $100,000 contract with major Israeli B2B e-commerce provider.
  • Kasasa by BancVue forms strategic investment partnership with The Riverside Company; rebrands as Kasasa.
  • EconoTimes Business highlights Betterment in a look at the way the low fees of robo-advisers benefit retirees.

This post will be updated throughout the day as news and developments emerge. You can also follow alumni news headlines on the Finovate Twitter account.

Finovate Alumni News

On Finovate.com

  • CUneXus Raises $1 Million, Signs Partnership with Edmunds.com”

Around the web

  • Tradeshift brings its procure-to-pay solution to Zurich Insurance Group.
  • Suffolk Country National Bank to deploy Fiserv technology to improve customer experience.
  • FIS joins the CardLinx Alliance.
  • Signifyd adds Bill McKiernan, founder of CyberSource, to its board.
  • Shoeboxed earns a spot on NerdWallet’s list of must-have apps for entrepreneurs.
  • Trade IT named runner-up in Wealth Management category of the Fin Track Awards for its Trading Ticket solution.
  • Nostrum Group CEO Richard Carter featured on the cover of the Yorkshire Business Insider.
  • Topicus Finance mentioned in Banken.nl column on the rise of crowdfunding in the Netherlands.
  • Simon Cadbury of Intelligent Environments writes about digital-only banks for TechWeek Europe.
  • “European Breakout List for 2016” features several Finovate alums.

This post will be updated throughout the day as news and developments emerge. You can also follow alumni news headlines on the Finovate Twitter account.

 

Gem Raises $7 Million in Series A

Gem Raises $7 Million in Series A

Gem_homepage_FinDEVr2015

In a round led by Pelion Venture Partners, blockchain technology specialist and FinDEVr alum Gem raised $7.1 million in funding. Also participating in the Series A were:

  • Amplify.LA
  • Blockchain Capital
  • Danmar Capital
  • Digital Currency Group
  • Drummond Road Capital
  • KEC Ventures
  • RRE Ventures
  • Tamarisk Global
  • Tekton Ventures

Angel investor James Joaquin also participated in the financing, which takes Gem’s total capital to $12 million, according to Crunchbase. Ben Dahl of Pelion Venture Partners and Bitium CEO Scott Kriz will join Gem’s board of directors.

Gem_stage_FinDEVr2015

Gem CEO and founder Micah Winkelspecht spoke on “Redefining Banking from the Ground Up” at FinDEVr 2015 in San Francisco.

In a statement at the Gem blog, the company highlighted its vision for distributed ledger technology as part of a “‘blockchain economy’ that forms the underlying architecture of our daily lives: from capital markets to patient care, supply chains to logistics, property rights to digital rights management.”

Gem makes it easier for companies to use blockchain technology by turning complex processes into modular, bitcoin APIs and then leveraging its platform to scale and automatically deploy. Gem recently developed a multi-signature bitcoin API for developers, and is currently building a “modular platform for blockchain applications” that has broad-use cases for many different industries.

Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Venice, California, Gem debuted at FinDEVr 2015.

FinovateEurope Sneak Peek: Spiff

FinovateEurope Sneak Peek: Spiff

Spiff_homepage_Jan2016

FEU2016_logo_withdateA look at the companies demoing live to 1,500 fintech professionals. Get tickets this week for early bird savings.

Spiff_logo_HiRes

Spiff is a simple saving service for you and me, designed with women in mind.

Features:

  • Designed for women
  • Fun, safe, and simple
  • We connect money to what it can accomplish

Presenters

Spiff_Carl_Nicolai_WessmannCarl-Nicolai Wessmann, CEO, Founder

Wessmann spent 3+ years at Schibsted Media Group, Strategy & International; and 3+ years at Handelsbanken. He is a Harvard Business School alum, and holds a master’s in business and economics from the Norwegian Business School. He is a proud father and husband.
LinkedIn

Spiff_Kristin_MollerKristin Juland Moller, Social Media and Communication Manager

Moller spent 10+ years in media as VP of consumer sales for Schibsted Media Group; VP product and marketing at Aftenposten; and as a management traineee at Schibsted. She holds a master’s in business and economics from the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration.
LinkedIn

 

FinovateEurope Sneak Peek: SuiteBox

FinovateEurope Sneak Peek: SuiteBox

SuiteBox_homepage_Jan2016

FEU2016_logo_withdateA look at the companies demoing live to 1,500 fintech professionals. Get tickets this week for early bird savings.

SuiteBox is a unified, cloud-based collaboration service that brings together video, voice, electronic signing, screen sharing, and selective recording to any device, anytime, anywhere.

Features:

  • Fully white-labelled virtual meeting room which is always ‘open’
  • Combines the power of video with electronic signing and recording
  • Integrates with your own CRM using open APIs, or use standalone

Why it’s great
Meet and complete virtual meetings and transactions using the power of the SuiteBox meeting room. The ‘suite’ of virtual collaboration tools enables you to complete business online, anytime.

Presenters

SuiteBox_Ian_DunbarIan Dunbar, Country Manager, Australia

Dunbar is the country head of SuiteBox for Australia. In addition, he is the founder of Afiniation, an Australasian network of fintech innovators. Dunbar is a former executive of UBS Australia.
LinkedIn

 

SuiteBox_RichardMannellRichard Mannell, CEO, Founder

Mannell is an experienced founder, investor, and CEO in financial markets and global wine trading. He is the former managing director, and board member, of ICAP in London. Mannell is also the founder/director of Bordeaux Index, a leading fine wine broker.
LinkedIn

FinovateEurope Sneak Peek: ebankIT

FinovateEurope Sneak Peek: ebankIT

ebankit_homepage_Jan2016

FEU2016_logo_withdateA look at the companies demoing live to 1,500 fintech professionals. Get tickets this week for early bird savings.

ebankIT_logo_HiRes

ebankIT is an omnichannel banking software company providing innovative technologies that allow banking customers to control their finances and invest their savings easily on their favorite channels.

Features of the software:

  • Allows banks to extend their customers’ networks
  • Provides seamless access to financial products and services
  • Works on every device and wearable technology

Why it’s great
Omnichannel and social banking provides a consistent experience across channels, providing customers with seamless access to financial products and services more efficiently, faster and easier.

Presenters
ebankIT_Paulo_OliveiraPaulo Oliveira, Omnichannel Specialist

Oliveira is a project manager, omnichannel specialist, and software architect at ebankIT. He has developed solutions in the financial sector for more than 15 years.
LinkedIn

 

ebankIT_Diana_WinstanleyDiana Winstanley, Business Developer

Winstanley is a business developer and omnichannel specialist at ebankIT with several years’ experience in business analysis and consulting within the financial sector.
LinkedIn

Finovate Alumni News

On Finovate.com

  • Moven Launches Offers with Four Merchant Partners”
  • Gem Raises $7 Million in Series A”

Around the web

  • Blackhawk Network acquires GiftCards.com and OmniCard for $120 million.
  • EyeLock partners with Diebold to develop new ATM experience using mobile app, QR codes, and iris scanning.
  • Trustly partners with GoldMoney’s BitGold to connect with financial institutions for direct deposits and redemptions.
  • LiveRamp interviews Cardlytics CMO Dani Cushion.

This post will be updated throughout the day as news and developments emerge. You can also follow alumni news headlines on the Finovate Twitter account.

LoanNow Secures $50 Million Credit Facility

LoanNow Secures $50 Million Credit Facility

LoanNow_homepage_Jan2016

In a deal that will help the company better serve its non-prime, middle-income customer base, LoanNow has secured a $50 million credit facility from an undisclosed institutional investor.

LoanNow’s President and COO Miron Lulic credited his company’s ability to “uniquely identify, assess and ultimately incentivize deserving borrowers that would otherwise lack affordable options.” The financing comes in the wake of LoanNow announcing it was nearing the $10 million mark in terms of personal loans originated in its first full year in operation.

LoanNow_stage_FS2015

LoanNow CEO and co-founder Harry Langenberg demonstrated LoanNow Group Signing at FinovateSpring 2015 in San Jose.

LoanNow specializes in providing financing options for borrowers with credit scores of 650 or less. The company’s platform monitors borrowers’ financial behavior, rewarding timely and consecutive payments, and the addition of micro-cosignatories. LoanNow says its dynamic loan-replayment process can result in APR reductions of as much as 50%. Loans are available up to $5,000, with terms of up to 48 months.

Currently available in five states, LoanNow expanded to New Mexico in August and to Utah in June. In July 2015, the company earned a spot in Orange County Business Journal’s “Best Places to Work in Orange County 2015” roster.

Founded in June 2013 and headquartered in Santa Ana, California, LoanNow demonstrated its group signing feature at its Finovate debut at FinovateSpring 2015.

FundAmerica Shares Growth Metrics, Plans for 2016

FundAmerica Shares Growth Metrics, Plans for 2016

FundAmerica_homepage_Jan2016

This week, crowdfunding compliance solution provider FundAmerica gave us an inside look at some of its top metrics from 2015. Near the top of the list was the $102 million processed by FundAmerica’s platform customers. And of that only $3.5 million was refunded to investors for deals that didn’t close.

FundAmerica founder and CEO Scott Purcell said he was “surprised” at the low refund figure. “It shows offerings using FundAmerica’s services and methodology are overwhelmingly successful,” he said.

FundAmerica_stage_FS2015b

From left: FundAmerica General Counsel Scott Andersen, with founder and CEO Scott Purcell, demonstrated FundAmerica’s platform at FinovateSpring 2015.

Specializing in providing back-office tools ranging from escrow, AML, and payment processing, FundAmerica gives investment advisers, broker-dealers, and platform operators the technology to make sure their crowdfunding businesses run efficiently and remain compliant.

Some 2015 metrics from FundAmerica:

  • Number of escrows (506b, 506c, and Reg A): 228 offerings
  • Average investment (506b/c): $50,000
  • Average investment (Reg A): $2,800
  • Total number of platforms: 325
  • Platforms launched in 2015: 85

FundAmerica says it has investors from all 50 states plus the District of Colombia, with most investors coming from California, Texas, Florida, and New York. The vast majority of investors are from the United States (95%), with other participating investors from countries such as China, New Zealand, South Korea, United Kingdom, and Canada.

In addition to the metrics from last year, Purcell highlighted what to expect from FundAmerica in 2016.

  • Grow staff from 21 to 50
  • Launch EB-5 services
  • Support Title III crowdfunding portals
  • Provide APIs for venture exchanges, aggregators, and research firms

Purcell says FundAmerica will continue to improve its back-office solutions for 506b/c and Reg A offerings, and provide more compliance tools for broker-dealers. “Writing software is nonstop for us,” Purcell said.

FundAmerica made its Finovate debut at FinovateSpring 2015, and launched its Invest Now button in May. Learn more about how the company helps crowdfunders stay compliant in our August 2015 profile.

Deadline for Queen City Fintech Spring 2016 Accelerator is This Week

Deadline for Queen City Fintech Spring 2016 Accelerator is This Week

QCFinTech_homepage_Jan2016

The deadline for applications to join the Spring 2016 cohort of the Queen City FinTech Accelerator Program is this Wednesday, 6 January.

QCFinTech is based in Charlotte, North Carolina, a major U.S. financial services hub that provides access to professional mentors from institutions ranging from Bank of America to Wells Fargo. The accelerator program runs for 12 months with an on-site, “intensive acceleration” beginning on 14 March and ending with a Demo Day event on 1 June. Finovate Best of Show award winner Dyme is among the program’s alums.

QCFinTechSpring2016

In a statement, QCFintech said their accelerator program was an opportunity to help different kinds of fintech companies bring their innovations to market. “While our program does not focus on one aspect of fintech,” the statement noted, “our mentors and expertise tend to have core expertise in payments, cyber security, retail and consumer banking.”

 

FundAmerica Shares Growth Metrics, Plans for 2016

FundAmerica_homepage_Jan2016

This week, crowdfunding compliance solution provider FundAmerica gave us an inside look at some of its top metrics from 2015. Near the top of the list was the $102 million processed by FundAmerica’s platform customers. And of that, only $3.5 million was refunded to investors for deals that didn’t close.

FundAmerica founder and CEO Scott Purcell said he was “surprised” at the low refund figure. “It shows offerings using FundAmerica’s services and methodology are overwhelmingly successful,” he said.

FundAmerica_stage_FS2015b

From left: FundAmerica General Counsel Scott Andersen and Founder and CEO Scott Purcell demonstrated the FundAmerica platform at FinovateSpring 2015.

Specializing in providing back-office tools including escrow, AML, and payment processing, FundAmerica gives investment advisers, broker-dealers, and platform operators the technology to make sure their crowdfunding businesses run efficiently and remain compliant.

Some other interesting metrics from FundAmerica:

  • Number of escrows (506b, 506c, and Reg A): 228 offerings
  • Average investment (506b/c): $50,000
  • Average investment (Reg A): $2,800
  • Total number of platforms: 325
  • Platforms launched in 2015: 85

FundAmerica also noted that it has investors from all 50 states plus the District of Colombia, with most investors coming from California, Texas, Florida, and New York. The vast majority of investors are from the United States (95%); also participating are investors from countries such as China, New Zealand, South Korea, United Kingdom, and Canada.

In addition to the metrics from last year, Purcell highlighted what to expect from FundAmerica in 2016.

  • Grow staff from 21 to 50
  • Launch EB-5 services
  • Support Title III crowdfunding portals
  • Provide APIs for venture exchanges, aggregators, and research firms

Purcell added that FundAmerica will continue to improve its back-office solutions for 506b/c and Reg A offerings, and provide more compliance tools for broker-dealers. “Writing software is nonstop for us,” Purcell said.

FundAmerica made its Finovate debut at FinovateSpring 2015, and launched its Invest Now button in May of that year. Learn more about how the company helps crowdfunders stay compliant in our August profile.