Finovate Alumni News

By David Penn Posted on
Categories: CUneXus, FIS, Fiserv, Intelligent Environments, Nostrum Group, PayPal, Shoeboxed, Signifyd, Topicus, Tradeshift, Trading Ticket

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.

 

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FinovateEurope Early Bird Discount Extended!

By Greg Palmer Posted on
Categories: FinovateEurope 2016

FEU2016HomepageBanner

2015 is officially behind us, and FinovateEurope 2016 is on pace to be our largest European event yet. A huge number of people registered in advance of the early bird ticket deadline back in December, but if you were out of the office and missed the deadline, no worries! We’ve extended the early-bird sales to this Friday, 8 January, to give everyone one more chance to save £100 on the cost of their ticket.

Finovate’s unique mix of live demos (no slides allowed!) and high-impact networking sessions offers an incredibly efficient way to stay up to speed on the fast-moving world of European fintech. This is your chance to connect with the influential innovators defining the future of finance and see the best of what the industry has to offer. Seating is limited, so lock in your spot (and the £100 discount) today!

FEU15Networking

Check out the FinovateEurope homepage for more information, including a list of confirmed presenters. Also, our Sneak Peek blog series details what our presenters will show off on stage. For any other questions, email us at europe@finovate.com.

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Gem Raises $7 Million in Series A

Gem Raises $7 Million in Series A
By David Penn Posted on
Categories: Funding, Fundings, Gem

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.

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Fintech Fundings: 8 Companies Raise $70 Million Week Ending 31 Dec

Fintech Fundings: 8 Companies Raise $70 Million Week Ending 31 Dec
By Jim Bruene Posted on
Categories: Funding

HappyNewYear_MoneyAs expected, the year ended on a relatively quiet note with just eight companies raising $71.5 million. More than half the total ($46 million) went to Chinese P2P lender Weijinsuo.

The year ends with a total of about $19 billion invested into private fintech companies (includes debt and equity). If you add the $6 billion in new capital raised in the IPOs of Worldpay, Square and First Data, the 2015 total is a nicely even $25 billion.

It is unlikely we’ll see that much in 2016, but the fintech sector is vast, and there are fascinating opportunities for newcomers and existing brands alike.

Here are the deals by size from 26 Dec to 31 Dec 2015:

Weijinsuo
Person-to-person lender
Latest round: $46 million Series A
Total raised: $46 million
HQ: Bejing, China
Tags: Consumer, credit, lending, loans, underwriting, investing, P2P
Source: Crunchbase

Roofstock
Enabling investments in rental real estate
Latest round: $7 million Series
Total raised: $7 million
HQ: Oakland, California
Tags: Consumer, investing, real estate, rental properties
Source: Crunchbase

MobiKwik
Mobile wallet
Latest round: $6.6 million Series B
Total raised: $36.9 million
HQ: Gurgaon, India
Tags: Consumer, payments, mobile wallet, billpay, P2P payments
Source: Crunchbase

Ayannah
Payments and commerce solutions for unbanked in emerging markets
Latest round: $3 million Series B
Total raised: $7.5 million
HQ: Laguna Hills, California
Tags: Enterprise, payments, underbanked, financial inclusion
Source: Crunchbase

Picwell
Health insurance selection tools
Latest round: $3.03 million
Total raised: $7.05 million
HQ: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Tags: Consumer, insurance, healthcare, benefits, HR
Source: Crunchbase

DipJar
Tipping system for retail point of sale
Latest round: $2.4 million Seed
Total raised: $2.82 million
HQ: New York City, New York
Tags: Consumer, payments, POS, merchants, acquiring, credit/debit cards
Source: Crunchbase

Nxt-ID
Mobile wallet and biometric solutions
Latest round: $2.1 million (at least $1.5 million debt)
Total raised: $2.9 million (includes at least $1.5 million debt)
HQ: Shelton, Connecticut
Tags: Enterprise, payments, mobile, security, Wocket Wallet (product name), hardware, credit/debit cards
Source: WhoGotFunded

ModeFinance
Credit risk management
Latest round: $1.4 million Seed
Total raised: $1.4 million
HQ: Trieste, Italy
Tags: SMB, credit, lending, trade financing, underwriting, commerce
Source: Crunchbase

—–
Image licensed from 123rf.com

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FinDEVr APIntelligence

By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: FinDEVr APIntelligence, InComm, PayPal, Venmo

FinDEVr2016-NY-(Stacked)V2Are you building new financial technology? Be sure to check out coverage from our recent developer conference in San Francisco. We’re taking the fintech developer tool showcase to New York on 29/30 March 2016. Stay tuned for details.

The latest from FinDEVr San Francisco 2015 presenters

  • Fortune: How Venmo plans to make money.
  • PayPal and Aramex partner to create www.ishoptheworld.com, a one-stop cross-border marketplace.

Alumni updates

  • InComm acquires TibiDono, Austria-based marketing and gift card distribution company.

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

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Moven Launches Offers with Four Merchant Partners

Moven Launches Offers with Four Merchant Partners
By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: Moven

MovenHomepage

Need another excuse to spend money now that the holiday season is over? Neobank Moven is giving cardholders incentive to use their prepaid cards with a new offers program.

The New York-based company has partnered with four companies to extend deals:

MOvenOffersEmail

Since the offers allow customers to pay using any card they’d like, Moven is offering a cash back incentive. The startup is giving customers $10 if they spend $150 or more on the offers in a month.

Moven hints at more merchant partners coming soon, stating, “Keep a lookout for more offers like these in the New Year, this is just the beginning.”

Also this week, the company released updates for its iOS app:

  • Auto-login, enabling users to see balance and spending at a glance
  • TouchID
  • Free P2P money transfers to other Moven users
  • Ability to change categories from the notification on the lock screen

Moven was founded in 2011 by CEO Brett King. The company debuted its Financial Health platform at FinovateSpring 2015 in San Jose.

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FinovateEurope Sneak Peek: Spiff

FinovateEurope Sneak Peek: Spiff
By David Penn Posted on
Categories: FinovateEurope 2016, FinovateEurope 2016 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

 

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FinovateEurope Sneak Peek: SuiteBox

FinovateEurope Sneak Peek: SuiteBox
By David Penn Posted on
Categories: FinovateEurope 2016, FinovateEurope 2016 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

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FinovateEurope Sneak Peek: ebankIT

FinovateEurope Sneak Peek: ebankIT
By David Penn Posted on
Categories: ebankIT, FinovateEurope 2016, FinovateEurope 2016 Sneak Peek

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

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Finovate Alumni News

By David Penn Posted on
Categories: Blackhawk Network, Cardlytics, Diebold, ebankIT, EyeLock, Gem, ID.me, Moven, Spiff, SuiteBox, Trustly

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.

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LoanNow Secures $50 Million Credit Facility

LoanNow Secures $50 Million Credit Facility
By David Penn Posted on
Categories: LoanNow

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.

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Soundpays Appoints Steve Doswell CEO

Soundpays Appoints Steve Doswell CEO
By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: Soundpays

SoundPaysHomepage

DoswellSoundpays, a startup whose technology enables customers to make P2P payments using inaudible sound, has appointed a new CEO this week. The Toronto-based startup’s board of directors selected Steve Doswell (pictured right) to succeed Peter Misek as CEO.

Misek, who will remain on the Soundpays board of directors, says:

Steve Doswell has been credited for shaping the growth of some of North America’s most influential and valuable companies. He’s an exceptional leader, passionate about our mission, and has an impressive history of working with start-ups at a similar stage of growth as Soundpays.

Prior to his appointment, Doswell served as CEO of Dubai-based First Information Security. He also has a history in the pharmaceutical industry and worked as chief operating officer at AOL Canada in 2007.

Soundpays debuted at FinovateFall 2015 and won Best of Show.

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