Finovate Alumni News

On Finovate.com

  • FinovateFall: Mapping the Future of Fintech Today
  • Payworks Raises $4.5 Million Series A
  • Mastercard Says “Me Too” to Visa’s PayPal Partnership

Around the web

  • Top Image Systems Signs Two Accounts Payable Automation Deals Valued at Over $480,000
  • EU-based mobile payments company SumUp achieves profitability.
  • Let’s Talk Payments interviews Boku CEO Jon Prideaux.
  • ACI Worldwide brings UP Retail Payments to Erste Bank Hungary.
  • Braintree to offer Visa Checkout.
  • ayondo relaunches website with new design and features to improve trading experience.
  • TransferWise announces tripling of revenues in first public annual report.

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

Yoyo Wallet is Prepared for Liftoff (But Not in a SpaceX Explosion Sort of Way)

Yoyo Wallet is Prepared for Liftoff (But Not in a SpaceX Explosion Sort of Way)

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The mobile wallet market in the U.S. is being inundated with apps from Samsung Pay, Apple Pay, CVS Pay, Wells Fargo Wallet, Xiaomi’s Mi Pay, and many others. Meanwhile, London-based Yoyo Wallet with its slow-and-steady approach is starting to take off with both merchants and consumers.

You might think of Yoyo Wallet as the Venmo of the mobile-wallet industry since the app has struck a nerve with millennials. The mobile wallet generates a unique QR code for each transaction and allows retailers to in-build rewards and loyalty to incent first-time customers and encourage repeat business.

The startup was recently featured in Fusionwire, which interviewed Yoyo’s cofounder and CRO Michael Rolph, who said:

Over the last six months we’ve gone through this evolution that I think is fairly unique in any company’s life cycle. We’ve probably done the most important work of our lives over this time in order to lay the foundations for scaling. We’ve signed some pretty monumental deals; deals we might well look back on in years to come and say: ‘That was the turning point.’ It’s the exciting part now … you know you’ve got something, the question is: How big can you make it? This scaling-up phase will be very challenging, but that also makes it huge fun to be part of.

Rolph went on to describe Yoyo’s growth since launching, explaining that within the next few months, the company will have a workforce of 40 people, which is double the number Yoyo employed just 12 months ago. “We’ll need for all of us to be at the top of our game,” he said, since he expects Yoyo’s user-base numbers to balloon beginning next year.

Yoyo processes 400,000 transactions per month for mobile wallet users at 65 U.K. universities, 150 large corporate offices—including Accenture, JP Morgan, Visa, and HP—and retail locations. By the end of this year, the company expects to expand to 100 universities and 250 corporate offices.

Yoyo debuted at FinovateEurope 2015. Since then, the company has made inroads into Asia after launching at National University in Singapore. In late 2015, the company quietly began rolling out with partners in the U.S. As for what’s next, Rolph mentioned that the company is close to launching with “several very well-known retailers with a strong presence across the U.K., and specifically London.”

The Procrastinator’s Guide to FinovateFall

The Procrastinator’s Guide to FinovateFall

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Now that everyone in the U.S. has rested up from the Labor Day holiday, it’s time to shift focus to fintech, specifically FinovateFall, which is coming up fast. Here’s a guide to quickly get you up-to-speed on everything you need to know for the event.

Tickets
There are still a handful of tickets remaining. You can register online or at the registration desk on the day of the event.

Where
We’re returning to the New York Hilton Midtown in NYC.

Address:
1335 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10019

When
Registration opens at 8 AM and the first demo begins at 8:45 AM. Coffee and continental breakfast will be provided, so come early and grab a seat.

Presenters
You can find a list of companies and their websites on the FinovateFall homepage. Or check out our Sneak Peek series on the blog for more details on what each company will debut.

Mobile app
The FinovateFall app is powered by Bizzabo. Download Bizzabo in the app store (Android & iOS), search Finovate and join the community to connect with other attendees, follow along with the agenda, and read more about the presenters.

Still have questions? Check out the FAQ section on our website or email fall@finovate.com.

Finovate Alumni News

On Finovate.com

  • Yoyo Wallet is Prepared for Liftoff (But Not in a SpaceX Explosion Sort of Way)

Around the web

  • American Banker features Moven’s partnership with TD Bank. Come see Moven at FinovateFall this week in NYC.
  • FST Media interviews Phil Copeland, co-founder and chief executive officer of Avoka. Come see Avoka’s FinovateFall demo.
  • MoneyStrands launches new app to help users create good spending habits. Check out Strands at FinovateFall.

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

Blackhawk Network Acquires Grass Roots for $118 Million

Blackhawk Network Acquires Grass Roots for $118 Million

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Prepaid payments network Blackhawk Network scored big yesterday. The California-based company has agreed to acquire Grass Roots, an employee- and customer-engagement solutions company, for $118 million.

This is the company’s eighth acquisition and is expected to help Blackhawk broaden the incentives-and-engagement business it launched in 2014 called Blackhawk Engagement Solutions (BES). BES took shape after Blackhawk acquired incentives-and-rewards companies Parago, InteliSpend, Cardlab, and Incentec. Since then, Blackhawk has bolstered BES by acquiring Achievers, Giftcards.com, and Extrameasures.

Bill Tauscher, executive chairman for Blackhawk, said the acquisition “complements the existing client portfolio” of Blackhawk. Tausher says the company “will also offer new products and capabilities to Grass Roots’ clients.”

While the company has commercial operations in 25+ countries, this acquisition will expand Blackhawk’s geographical reach. U.K.-based Grass Roots has offices in Europe, the Americas, and Asia and will operate as a subsidiary of Blackhawk. The finalization of the transaction is subject to approval by Germany’s Federal Cartel Office.

Founded in 2001, Blackhawk went public in 2013 (NASDAQ: HAWK) and is one of 49 companies listed on the KBW Nasdaq Financial Technology Index. In July 2016, the company launched an ecommerce website for gift cards in Canada, and at FinovateFall 2012, Blackhawk debuted GoWallet, a direct-to-consumer platform that lets users manage all of their gift cards from a central dashboard. In February 2016, the company appointed Talbott Roche as CEO.

You’re Coming to FinovateFall… See Who Else Will be There

You’re Coming to FinovateFall… See Who Else Will be There

TitlesWC2Think you’re ready for FinovateFall? You have your ticket, you made flight and hotel reservations, scoped out the after-parties, and you’ve even read up on the presenting companies and combed through their Sneak Peek.

So why not get a jump-start on networking, as well? Our presenter title word-cloud gives you a hint of who you’ll be rubbing shoulders with next week in New York. The Finovate mobile app—powered by Bizzabo—is a great way to make the most of your Finovate experience and connect with other registered attendees before the conference begins.

Here’s how to do it:

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  • Join the community

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From there you can search for and message other attendees, set up your calendar, learn about the presenters, and more.

Have questions? Check out the FAQ section on our website or email fall@finovate.com.

See you in New York!


FinovateFall 2016 is sponsored by The Bancorp, AARP, Financial Technology Partners, Grant Thornton, Hudson Cook, KPMG, and Leverage PR.

FinovateFall 2016 is partnered with Acuity Market Intelligence, Aite Group, American Bankers Association, BankersHub, Bankless Times, BayPay Forum, Bitcoin Magazine, Breaking Banks,Byte Academy, California Bankers Association, Canadian Trade Commissioner Service, CB Insights, Celent, Coin Telegraph, Crowdfund Beat, Digital Currency Council,Digital.NYC, EbankingNews, FemTechLeaders, Fintech Finance, The Fintech Times, Harrington Starr, Holland Fintech, IDC Financial Insights, Innovate Finance, Javelin, Juniper Research, Korea FinTech Forum, Mapa Research, Mercator Advisory Group, Next Money, NYPAY, Ovum, Payments & Cards Network, The Paypers, PitchBook, Plug and Play, SME Finance Forum, Swiss Finance + Technology Association, and Western Independent Bankers.

Jumio Raises $15 Million from its New Owner, Centana Growth Partners

Jumio Raises $15 Million from its New Owner, Centana Growth Partners

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Credentials-management company Jumio pulled in $15 million this week. The funding comes from Millennium Technology Value Partners and Centana Growth Partners, the private equity firm that purchased Jumio for $850,000 in May of this year after Jumio declared bankruptcy two months prior.

The funding brings Jumio’s total raised to almost $52 million. The company expects the funding will “extend its leadership position in the digital ID verification space, aggressively expand its sales and marketing efforts, and accelerate product development and international expansion.” The Palo Alto-based company offers three solutions that speed the online checkout process:

  • Fastfill, an ID-scanning app that automatically fills in information on forms
  • BAM Checkout, which integrates credit card and driver-license scanning into mobile checkout in order to eliminate friction
  • Netverify, which remotely scans documents to verify a consumer’s identity.

Jumio experienced a record-breaking second quarter this year. The company saw 65% growth in recurring YOY revenue, experienced a more than 50% increase in deals YOY, and closed more deals than any other time in its six-year history. Since launching in 2010 Jumio has facilitated 30 million transactions. Additionally, the company’s customer base has continued to expand.

In July of this year, Spanish crypto-currency company Krypto Commerce tapped Jumio for its AML and KYC services. At FinovateEurope 2015, the company won Best of Show for demoing how NetVerify simplifies the account-opening process.

FinDEVr APIntelligence

FinDEVrSV16-withdateOur FinDEVr New York developer showcase was a success! FinDEVr Silicon Valley will be held 18/19 October in Santa Clara. Early bird tickets expire soon so register today to save your spot!

The latest from FinDEVr New York 2016 presenters

  • Fintech Trending: Look Who’s Chasing Venmo, Student Loan Servicing Falls Short

Alumni updates

  • Currency Cloud partners with Arkea Banking Services to provide faster payments and better reconciliation. Join Currency Cloud in New York next week for FinovateFall 2016.
  • Uber and Visa team up on local offers.
  • Bluefin Payment Systems unveils PAX devices for PCI-validated, point-to-point encryption (P2PE).
  • Backbase Partners with Entersekt to Deliver Authentication Technology
  • Intuit unveils personalized app recommendations for QuickBooks Online.
  • Quisk rolls out mobile money platform at National Commercial Bank Jamaica Limited.
  • Entersekt brings its Transakt technology to the Middle East in collaboration with IST Networks.
  • Temenos to provide core banking solutions for Microcred, international microfinance specialist.
  • Crowdfund Insider interviews Rob Frohwein, Kabbage CEO and co-founder.
  • Xero named most-loved accounting software for second year in a row.

Stay current on daily news from the fintech developer community! Follow FinDEVr on Twitter.

FinovateFall Sneak Peek: Swych

FinovateFall Sneak Peek: Swych

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FF2016-Logo-wdate-largeA look at the companies demoing live to 1,500+ fintech professionals on September 8 & 9, 2016. Register today.

Swych’s patent-pending mobile gifting platform enables users to send “Swychable” gifts from their mobile device or social chat bot that can be instantly redeemed for electronic gift cards.

Features:

  • Integrated gifting chat bots
  • Easily buy, send, manage, and exchange gift cards from your mobile device
  • Conversational commerce platform with easy-t0-implement APIs

Why it’s great
The innovative Swych mobile gifting digital platform elegantly modernizes, digitizes, and simplifies gifting on the mobile device and within a user’s social networks.

PresentersScreen Shot 2016-08-30 at 12.55.07 PM

Deepak Jain, CEO, Co-founder
Jain is a strategic leader with over a decade of experience launching and transforming early-stage startups. He specializes in bringing innovative technologies to market and holds more than 55 patents.
LinkedIn

Robert Sabella, CRO, Co-founder Screen Shot 2016-08-30 at 12.55.50 PM
Sabella is a serial entrepreneur, investor, inventor, and author. He has started and invested in many companies and invented a few patents-pending products along the way.
LinkedIn

FinovateFall Sneak Peek: Aspire Financial Technologies

FinovateFall Sneak Peek: Aspire Financial Technologies

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FF2016-Logo-wdate-largeA look at the companies demoing live to 1,500+ fintech professionals on September 8 & 9, 2016. Register today.

Aspire was created in 2015 with a vision of re-imagining the technology infrastructure in the alternative and asset-backed lending markets. Aspire will demo the Aspire Gateway platform.

Features:

  • Networking tools for better access to market participants
  • Data management and analytics tools to provide standardized data reviews
  • Integrated loan processing, reporting and analytics tools

Why it’s great
Aspire Gateway breaks down the barriers separating alternative lending originators and investors, enabling better communication, enhanced visibility, and reduced reporting latency between participants.

PresentersScreen Shot 2016-08-29 at 3.53.13 PM

David Fry, Co-founder and CEO
Fry is a former head of global markets for DB Canada with more than 20 years of experience in credit and fixed income in senior leadership roles with large global banks and HFs in London, NY, and Toronto.
LinkedIn

Mark Lecker, Co-founder and COO Screen Shot 2016-08-29 at 3.53.28 PM
Lecker has more than 25 years in the ABL industry in a variety of IT, finance, and operations roles. His experience includes senior management roles at AT&T Capital, Associates Fleet Services, and GE Capital.
LinkedIn

FinovateFall Sneak Peek: Sindeo

FinovateFall Sneak Peek: Sindeo

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FF2016-Logo-wdate-largeA look at the companies demoing live to 1,500+ fintech professionals on September 8 & 9, 2016. Register today.

Sindeo’s self-driven rate quote and prequalification tool provides consumers with a quick, straightforward and streamlined start to the home financing process.

  •  In less than 10 minutes, consumers can:
    • check rates across Sindeo’s network of lenders and loan programs
    • get free credit scores
    • generate a prequalification letter

Why it’s great 
Sindeo offers a better mortgage experience by providing access to an extensive mortgage marketplace and a streamlined digital loan experience.Screen Shot 2016-08-30 at 12.43.08 PM

Presenters

Ori Zohar, Co-founder
With a background in entrepreneurship and marketing, Zohar joined forces with co-founder Nick Stamos to create Sindeo, a consumer-friendly alternative to home financing.
LinkedInScreen Shot 2016-08-30 at 12.43.54 PM

Aimeelene Gaspar, Vice President of Product Management
An experienced leader in FinTech product development, Gaspar is involved with every aspect of the Sindeo product life cycle, from concept to design to launch.
LinkedIn

FinovateFall Sneak Peek: ProActive

FinovateFall Sneak Peek: ProActive

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FF2016-Logo-wdate-largeA look at the companies demoing live to 1,500+ fintech professionals on September 8 & 9, 2016. Register today.

ProActive’s patented budgeting technology requires a user to choose a category before the purchase. Users benefit from the control of a cash-like experience, digitally.

Features:

  • Creates the safest account on the planet with no risk of fraud
  • Empowers real change in spending behavior
  • Highest user engagement in the industry

Why it’s great
Online budgeting software has failed to influence real change in users’ spending behavior. ProActive is the first to offer a behavior-first budgeting/banking platform.

Presenters

Screen Shot 2016-08-26 at 4.27.54 PM

Ryan Clark, Founder and CEO
Clark has 10 years as a personal finance advisor and has ranked in the top 10% of advisors nationwide. After authoring his own book, he remained frustrated with failing budgeting systems.
LinkedIn

Screen Shot 2016-08-26 at 4.28.08 PMRoss Jardine, Adviser and Investor
Jardine is “America’s Money Mentor” and cofounder of INVESTools acquired by TD Ameritrade. He is a world speaker, has created programs for Nightingale-Connant, Success Magazine, and is the author of four personal finance books.
LinkedIn