Author: Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz)

Finovate Alumni News– April 2, 2012

By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: BillGuard, Braintree, CoverHound, Credit Sesame, Fiserv, Prosper, SaveUp, TradeKing, Zecco
  • Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Finovate-F-Logo.jpgFiserv wins Celent’s XCelent Award for enterprise-wide compliance solutions.
  • USA Today Money columnist recommends TradeKing & Zecco as platforms for investing in stock.
  • Productive Web Apps features CoverHound.
  • The Seattle Times discusses the benefits of BillGuard.
  • Braintree’s payment gateway available for Magneto users.
  • Prosper adds 13 new loan categories for borrowers.
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.

Share this:

Send Post Twitter LinkedIn Facebook

Xero Partners with Abukai, Helps MYOB Users Migrate Accounting Software

By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: Xero

Thumbnail image for XeroLogo.jpgCloud accounting platform, Xero, disclosed two announcements this past week.

First, it announced that its teaming up with Abukai. The partnership will enable Abukai users to leverage Xero’s platform to report expenses.

On its blog, Xero describes how it works:

“Take a photo of your receipts and when ready, the expense data is automatically imported into Xero as an expense claim. A copy of the photo is attached to each receipt.”

Second, Xero announced that its partner, LiveMigrate, launched a standalone service to help MYOB customers migrate their accounting software from MYOB to Xero.

Cloud computing analyst, Ben Kepes, explains that LiveMigrate is about “showing people that there’s an easy way to get out of the hell which is MYOB”. Depending on the level of functionality consumers need, LiveMigrate will cost users anywhere from NZ$249 to NZ$749.
To learn more about Xero, watch its FinovateSpring 2011 demo.

Share this:

Send Post Twitter LinkedIn Facebook

Currensee Expands Into Latin American Region with Spanish Website

By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: Currensee

Thumbnail image for CurrenseeLogo.jpg

Alternative investment platform, Currensee, announced yesterday that it will expand into the Latin American region and U.S.-based Latino market by launching its platform in Spanish.

Thumbnail image for CurrenseeLatino1.jpg

Dave Lemont, Currensee CEO, also mentioned a pending launch of the website in Portuguese to fill increasing demand for the alternative investment platform.

The release revealed a few facts:

    • Over 1,000 investor accounts opened
    • Over $30 million in assets reported since its start
    • $20 billion is traded via Trade Leaders Program

To learn more about Currensee, watch its FinovateSpring 2011 demo.

Share this:

Send Post Twitter LinkedIn Facebook

Finovate Alumni News– March 30, 2012

By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: Currensee, Dwolla, FutureAdvisor, PaySimple, ShopSavvy, Xero, Zopa
  • Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Finovate-F-Logo.jpgMSN Money UK explains how Zopa represents the future of banking.
  • MintLife blog reviews FutureAdvisor. Come see their live demo at FinovateSpring.
  • Silicon Prairie News covers a SXSW panel discussion where Dwolla discussed growth. See its new tech at FinovateSpring.
  • Forbes interviews PaySimple CEO, Eric Remer, on how he began the startup. Come see PaySimple at FinovateSpring in San Fran.
  • MSN Business on Main interviews Dwolla’s Ben Milne, asks if it’s the next PayPal.
  • Currensee expands into Latin American region with Spanish website.
  • Xero partners with Abukai, helps MYOB users migrate accounting software.
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.

Share this:

Send Post Twitter LinkedIn Facebook

David Marcus Named President of PayPal

By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: PayPal

Thumbnail image for PayPalLogo.jpg

PayPal recently announced that David Marcus has filled the role of President after Scott Thompson left the company in January to serve as CEO of Yahoo.

Marcus is the former CEO and founder of the mobile payments startup, Zong, which was acquired by PayPal last year.

davidMarcus.jpg

On its blog post announcing the change, Ebay’s John Donahoe states:

“He’s going to lead PayPal with that “founder’s perspective,” to bring start-up energy to PayPal’s unmatched global reach and digital payment capabilities. With David at the helm, we will have an even deeper commitment at PayPal, and across eBay Inc., to be a leading technology-driven and customer-focused product innovation company.”

Prior to stepping in as President, Marcus worked on the launch of Square-rival, PayPal Here.

To learn more about PayPal, watch its FinovateEurope 2012 demo.

Share this:

Send Post Twitter LinkedIn Facebook

Striata Partners with IHS Telekom to Bring eBilling to Turkey

By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: Striata

Thumbnail image for StriataLogo.jpg

E-billing payment solution, Striata announced today that it partnered with IHS Telekom, a registrar and systems integrator accredited by ICANN.

The agreement, signed in January, brings Striata’s eBilling and eStatement solutions to banks, utilities, and telecommunications companies in Turkey.

Michael Wright, Striata CEO comments:

“Striata’s partnership with IHS allows us to bring value-added push email billing and payment services to this market. IHS has the market experience and is well networked to successfully introduce Striata’s innovative services to utilities, telcos and financial institutions in Turkey”

To learn more about Striata, watch its FinovateEurope 2012 demo.

Share this:

Send Post Twitter LinkedIn Facebook

Finovate Alumni News– March 29, 2012

By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: Cartera Commerce, Currensee, LearnVest, Lending Club, Outright.com, PayNearMe, PayPal, Plastyc, Prosper, ReadyForZero, Striata
  • Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Finovate-F-Logo.jpgCartera Commerce launches OfferLink rewards solution for local businesses.
  • MyBankTracker features PayNearMe and shares how to pay your utility bill at 7-Eleven.
  • American Banker shares how Plastyc is 1 of 3 prepaid card providers to adopt or test a disclosure box to inform consumers of fees.
  • ReadyForZero launches its Facebook timeline.
  • LearnVest launches a tool to help decide if you should outsource a task or do it yourself.
  • Forbes describes how Lending Club and Prosper have opened up the consumer debt market.
  • VentureBeat shares how Outright can assist during tax season.
  • Striata partners with IHS Telekom to bring eBilling to Turkey.
  • David Marcus named President of PayPal.
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.

Share this:

Send Post Twitter LinkedIn Facebook

Cartera Commerce Launches OfferLink Rewards Solution for Local Businesses

By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: Cartera Commerce

Thumbnail image for CarteraCommerce.jpg

Today card-linked marketing company, Cartera Commerce, unveiled a card-linked rewards solution for local merchants called OfferLink Local:

“Customers redeem offers just by swiping their credit or debit card in merchants’ stores, and get rewards in their preferred currency: cash back or points in a bank card program or miles in their favorite airlines program.”

Merchants can market the offers through websites, emails, and social marketing channels from banks and loyalty rewards programs, such as the American Airlines AAdvantage.

Offerlink2.jpg

The solution also helps merchants track consumer behavior. The New York Times reports:

“And with each purchase, the retailers, banks and airlines collect data on the customer’s purchase history, including how much the customer spent, where the purchase was made and whether the customer was new.”

Cartera’s solution is superior than daily deal sites in this respect. Because it can track customers, it prevents wasted marketing coverage.

To learn more about Cartera Commerce, watch its FinovateFall 2011 demo.

Share this:

Send Post Twitter LinkedIn Facebook

Finovate Alumni News– March 28, 2012

By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: Check Point, Equifax, Stocktwits, T8 Webware, Yodlee
  • Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Finovate-F-Logo.jpgCheck Point positioned as a leader in the 2011 Magic Quadrant for UTM.
  • Silicon Prairie News features T8 Webware’s Product Marketing Manager, Bryan McCarty.
  • StockTwits streams now on MSN Money.
  • Zoho Books introduces Bank Feed feature powered by Yodlee.
  • Equifax announces access to undisclosed debt monitoring.
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.

Share this:

Send Post Twitter LinkedIn Facebook

ThreatMetrix Lands $18 Million in Series D Funding

By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: ThreatMetrix

Thumbnail image for ThreatMetrix.jpg

Cybercrime prevention company, ThreatMetrix, announced it recently closed an $18 million investment round, led by August Capital.

Existing investors Tenaya Capital, US Venture Partners and CM Capital also contributed to the of Series D round.

Reed Taussig, CEO of ThreatMetrix, states that the funding will go toward expanding globally into e-commerce, financial services and remote access solutions for enterprise employees.

The company also announced that Vivek Mehra, August Capital general partner, will join the ThreatMextrix board of directors.

To learn more about ThreatMetrix, watch its FinovateStartup 2009 demo.

Share this:

Send Post Twitter LinkedIn Facebook

Swipely Launches Main Street Marketing Manager

By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: Swipely

Thumbnail image for SwipelyLogo9.11.jpg

Small business loyalty rewards platform,Swipely, released a tool called Main Street Marketing Manager today.

The tool uses customer spending data to design direct email marketing campaigns that aim to bring repeat customers and win back lost customers.

Because merchants are not required to use additional hardware or software and consumers can pay as they normally would, its easy for small businesses to implement. Swipely is available in Boston, New York, Providence, and San Francisco.

To learn more about Swipely, watch its FinovateFall 2011 demo and come to FinovateSpring in San Francisco May 8-9 to see its latest innovation.

Share this:

Send Post Twitter LinkedIn Facebook

Super Sprowtz to Implement Virtual Piggy’s Child-Safe E-commerce Tool

By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: Virtual Piggy

VirtualPiggyLogo1.jpg

E-commerce tool, Virtual Piggy, announced today that Super Sprowtz will use its child-safe online checkout service.

The Paypers reports:

“As part of the deal, Super Sprowtz’s range of educational multi-media products including plush toys, books, video games and applications will be available to purchase on their website using Virtual Piggy as a payment option which is compliant with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).”

To learn more about Virtual Piggy, come see it demo live at FinovateSpring 2012 in San Francisco on May 8-9.

Share this:

Send Post Twitter LinkedIn Facebook