Finovate Alumni News– May 7, 2013

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  • Expensify adds corporate card reconciliation for more banks, including Wells BofA, and Citi. See Expensify’s demo at FinovateSpring.
  • Forbes interviews Marc Gorlin, co-founder of Kabbage. See Kabbage’s new tech next week at FinovateSpring.
  • PayNearMe hires Billy Robbins, former VP of PFM at Wells, as its VP of business development. Come see PayNearMe’s demo at Finovate.
  • Kashoo tops 100,000 registered users and more than 50,000 iPad downloads of its cloud accounting app.
  • PaymentsSource interviews CashStar chief marketing officer Gene Cornfield on mobile commerce.
  • Kalixa to become its own company, separating from Bwin.
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.

Finovate Alumni News– April 1, 2013

  • Finovate-F-Logo.jpgExpensify makes Reconciliation and Central Administration features available for American Express corporate cardholders.
  • Micronotes providing series of marketing campaigns for USAlliance FCU to help cross-selling efforts.
  • Palo Alto Software announces launch of EntrepreWorld, a virtual environment to test business plans in a virtual world of avatars. Come see Palo Alto demo its latest technology at FinovateSpring.
  • Consumers CU chooses Andera’s oFlows platform for online account opening and lending.
  • Lighter Capital appoints Molly Gregg Otter as Vice President.
  • Bloomberg looks at how Jemstep, SigFig, and FutureAdvisor help manage your portfolio online. See Jemstep’s new tech at FinovateSpring.
  • Forbes takes a close up look at London’s FinTech Innovation Lab, including participants BehavioSec, Kiboo, and Open Bank Project.
  • Huff Post blog considers Lighter Capital’s Revenue Loans as alternative to VC funding.
  • GCN looks at Dwolla’s use in government.
  • Huff Post blog considers automated report-writing software company, Narrative Science. See its new tech at FinovateSpring.
  • MyBankTracker reviews Tuition.io.
  • Y C Universe profiles Trust Egg. See them demo at FinovateSpring in May.
  • MicroStrategy signs technology alliance agreement with MapR.
  • Berry Review takes a look at Pageonce Money and Bills on Blackberry 10.
  • Times of India highlights Klarna’s growth in Europe.
  • Incentive Mag previews the launch of CashStar’s table gifting solution.
  • Eye Verify announces results from biometric standard, performance and assurance lab survey. Join them in San Francisco for FinovateSpring.
  • IntelliResponse selected by KMWorld as one of “100 Companies that Matter in Knowledge Management” for 2013. Come see them in action at FinovateSpring in May.
  • New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg officially ‘opened the doors‘ to On Deck Capital’s new NYC HQ.
  • Global Payments and edo Interactive launch pilot for card-linked offers network.
  • Boston Business Journal interviews Leaf CEO Aron Schwarzkopf. See Leaf’s demo at FinovateSpring in San Francisco.
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.

Finovate Alumni News– March 11, 2013

  • American Banker reports: Union Bank signs up for Fiserv’s Bill Pay.
  • Bolstr featured on MSNBC’s Your Business.
  • Backbase gives a glimpse of the Digital Marketing Module it showed at FinovateEurope.
  • Triple Pundit looks at how the SEC is holding SoMoLend and other debt/equity crowdfunding platforms hostage.
  • USA Today considers Lending Club’s success.
  • CIO lists Expensify as 1 of 3 apps to help at tax time.
  • BellaDati releases updates to its platform.
  • Credit Karma launches app for Android.
  • Med Gadget interviews Diversinet CEO, Dr. Hon Pak.
  • Finextra reports Geezeo signs 1st United Services Credit Union.
  • CashStar announces availability of tablet gifting.
  • Android, iOS updates now provide card-to-card payments with Pageonce.
  • Dough Roller blog names PocketSmith one of the best calendar-based personal finance apps.
  • Continuity Control to partner with cbanc Network to provide regulatory briefing via RegAdvisor.
  • Koolspan and DeviceFidelity team up to build TrustSleeve, bringing microSD-based voice encryption to the iPhone.
  • Locaid and Life360 join forces to help parents stay in touch with their kids.
  • The Financial Brand highlights 50 of the most spectacular website designs in banking: Simple (formerly BankSimple), Standard Chartered, Mint, & Moven. See Netbanker’s take on the list here.
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.

Finovate Alumni News– March 1, 2013

  • Finovate-F-Logo.jpgMetaforic’s self-defending software immune system named the Gold winner by Info Security Products Guide’s 2013 Global Excellence Awards.
  • Worldwide Insure names Expensify the February Travel App of the Month.
  • TIO Networks expands Services with First Data’s Money Network Prepaid Services.
  • Bloomberg Television interviews Klarna CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski.
  • CashStar co-founder, CEO David Stone to lead panel on mobile shopping and gifting at Prepaid Expo.
  • AEGON Turkey insurance sales processes go mobile with Figlo tablet solution.
  • Lending Club appoints former Visa President as Director.
  • Apps from BBVA Compass, Pageonce, and Simple highlighted in American Banker’s list of the top ten, most progressive mobile banking apps.
  • My Money Blog reviews Jemstep Portfolio Manager.
  • Co-founder and CEO of Birdback, Nicolai Watzenig named guest speaker at eDeal Summit.
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.

CashStar Reports Record Holiday Season

Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for CashStar.jpgStrong holiday sales for the company’s eGift Cards have made CashStar optimistic about the prospects for mobile gift card and “last-minute gifting” demand in 2013.

Why are eGift Cards working for CashStar? In part, it may be because they are working for merchants. According to CashStar:
  • The company enjoyed a 800% increase in mobile eGift Cards purchased compared to 2011
  • Brands with mobile-optimized eGift Card websites outperformed non mobile-optimized websites in purchases by smartphone by more than 50% in December 2012
  • Brands from mobile-optimized sites earned 3,700% more in sales in 2012
CashStar has a network of more than 250 brands, including Brooks Brothers, Jiffy Lube, Harry & David, and Petco. The company’s support for Passbook on the iOS platform has added new retail partners like Home Depot and The Body Shop.
See CashStar’s most recent demo from FinovateFall 2011 here.

Finovate Alumni News– February 5, 2013

  • Finovate-F-Logo.jpgCachet Financial Solutions integrates with CU Mobile Apps, a provider of mobile banking solutions.
  • Finextra reports SafetyPay opens up to German-speaking markets.
  • Lendio reports 2012 growth metrics.
  • Expensify listed as 1 of 4 apps to helps save and manage your money.
  • TechFaster interviews BillGuard CMO Mary Anne Keegan.
  • Business Insider interviews Josh Reich, Simple founder and CEO.
  • Xero makes Bank Reconciliation available to Android users.
  • edo Interactive’s new Marketplace platform targets small, local businesses.
  • Check out Finovate’s infographic of FinovateEurope 2013 innovation themes.
  • Billhighway named as finalist in the 2013 Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service.
  • SigFig-powered USA Today Money Portfolio Tracker launches
    in app store.
  • CashStar reports record holiday season; 800% increase in mobile eGift Card purchases.
  • Continuity Control partners with Community BancService Corporation.
  • TSYS technology at work in Visa’s Saral Money program in India.
  • Rabobank launches Figlo-powered widgets for online banking homepage.
  • BrightScope ranks top 25 law firms with highest-rated 401(k) plans.
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.

2012 Funding for Finovate Alumni– More than $450 Million Raised

Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Finovate-F-Logo.jpgHere is a list of all the funding Finovate alumni received over the course of 2012.  

After an impressive 2011, where more than $423 million was raised, 2012 was even better, with more than $450 raised.
A few stand-out metrics for the year:
  • A total of 44 companies received funding, some more than once in 2012
  • Combined, more than $450 million was raised
  • The best quarter for raising capital was the first quarter when more than $150 was raised
  • The biggest funding month this year was March, with more than $68 million raised by three companies
Here is a month-by-month breakdown of funding received.
January — $25 million raised by 3 companies
Currensee: $2 million — blog post
Finsphere: $11.3 million — blog post
HelloWallet: $12 million — blog post
February — $57 million raised by 5 companies
Capital Access Network: $30 million — blog post
Dwolla: $5 million — blog post
Jemstep: $6 million — blog post
Kabbage: undisclosed — blog post
Xero: $16.6 million — blog post
March — $68 million raised by 3 companies
Boku: $35 million — blog post
eToro: $15 million — blog post
ThreatMetrix: $18 million — blog post
April — $2.5 million raised by 1 company
miiCard: $2.5 million — blog post
May — $55.5 million raised by 5 companies
Kony: $15 million – blog post
Pindrop Security: $1 million — blog post
SecureKey: $30 million — blog post
SoMoLend: $1.17 million — blog post
Yodlee: $8.3 million — blog post
June — More than $62 million raised by 8 companies
Affinity Solutions: $14.5 million — blog post
Arroweye Solutions: $3 million — blog post
Cartera Commerce: $12.2 million — blog post
Credit Sesame: $12 million — blog post
Doughmain: undisclosed — blog post
Lending Club: $15 million — blog post
Nutmeg: $5.3 million — blog post
Planwise: $200,000 — blog post
July — $6 million raised by 2 companies
Continuity Control: $1 million — press release
SaveUp: $5 million — blog post
August — More than $49 million raised by 6 companies*
DemystData: undisclosed — blog post
FutureAdvisor: $5 million — blog post
FreeMonee: $34 million — blog post
The Currency Cloud: $3.1 million — blog post
CashStar: $5 million — blog post
Continuity Control: $2.25 million — blog post
September — More than $59 million raised by 5 companies
Banno: $2 million — press release
Betterment: $10 million — press release
Edo Interactive: $15 million — press release
Fuze Network: $2.5 million — press release
Kabbage: $30 million — blog post
October — $37 million raised by 2 companies
The Currency Cloud: $1.9 million — blog post
Braintree: $35 million — blog post
November — More than $23 raised by 4 com
panies
ActivePath: $10 million — blog post
Jingit: $7 million — blog post
Bazaarvoice: $6.7 million — blog post
Xero: $49 million — blog post
December — More than $16 million raised by 4 companies
Waspit: $3 million — blog post
Controlabill: $570,000 (A$600,000) — blog post
Zopa: undisclosed — blog post
ShopKeep POS: $10 million – blog post
Clover Networks: $3.3 million – blog post
*In addition to the companies listed for August, On Deck Capital raised $100 million in credit facility commitments.
Note: Funding that companies received before they demonstrated at Finovate was not counted. Questions? Comments? E-mail us at Julie@Finovate.com or David@Finovate.com.

Third Quarter 2012 Funding for Finovate Alumni: More Than $50 Million Raised

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August was the biggest funding month of the third quarter. Six companies raised more than $49 million, led by FreeMonee, which alone raised $34 million.

In addition to the eight companies listed below, On Deck Capital raised $100 million in credit facility commitments in late August. 

Here’s the Q3 summary for 2012:

July — $6 million raised by 2 companies

August — More than $49 million raised by 6 companies

Note: Funding that companies received before they demonstrated at Finovate was not counted. Questions? Comments? E-mail us at Julie@Finovate.com or David@Finovate.com.

Finovate Alumni News– December 6, 2012

  • Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Finovate-F-Logo.jpgFinextra features Simple (formerly BankSimple).
  • HID Global and BehavioSec join forces to add new layer of protection to fraud detection system.
  • Entrepreneurial Finance Lab reflects on FinovateAsia.
  • Personal Capital working with Pershing Advisor Solutions to make the sign-up process for investment clients even easier.
  • Lending Club debuts low-interest, fixed-rate personal loan platform to Indiana residents.
  • CashStar partners with Punchbowl to provide eGift-enabled digital greeting cards.  
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.

Finovate Alumni News– November 28, 2012

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  • Payelp Global partners with SafetyPay to expand online payment options for merchants and customers worldwide.
  • Enloop releases the next generation of its business planning app to help entrepreneurs plan businesses.
  • Social Money announces launch of new product, CorePro, with a new partner, The Bancorp.
  • Tradeshift announces partnership with Verbella CMG, an SAP Content mgmt. solutions provider.
  • Anton Commissaris, a founding exec of Mint.com, joins Credit Sesame as COO.
  • Betterment enhances advice for life goals.
  • Capital Access Network names advisory board to guide launch and growth of latest offering to small businesses, CapTap.
  • CNBC reports CashStar, WEX partner to provide eGift card services.
  • New partnership with Klarna helps 3dcart reach European customers.
  • Compass Plus earns high ranking in annual PayX report.
  • AdExchanger interviews Bazaarvoice Media GM Barkow.
  • Team Bronson Moneymakers reviews Jingit.
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.

Finovate Alumni News– October 15, 2012

  • Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Finovate-F-Logo.jpgTradeshift announces strategic partnership with PrimeRevenue SCF.
  • Thomson Reuters launches mobile web app for investor relations.
  • CashStar and Comet launch UK’s first comprehensive eGift card program.
  • PaySimple appoints former PayPal employee Andrew Lanthier as CTO.
  • Upstart Business Journal looks at the approach Kabbage and Lighter Capital take on small business financing.
  • Q2ebanking introduces Q2clarity, customizable analytics across mobile, online and security platform.
  • Barron’s recommends using findabetterbank.com to cut bank fees.
  • City AM reports Monitise user numbers quadrupled in the last year to 17m.
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.

Finovate Alumni News– August 23, 2012

  • Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Finovate-F-Logo.jpgFor the second consecutive year, CashStar named 1 of the 2012 Best Places to Work in Maine.
  • The WSJ compares The Currency Cloud, Currency Fair, Wonga & Nutmeg with Britain’s traditional banks. Come check out The Currency Cloud at FinovateFall in NYC September 12 & 13.
  • My Bank Tracker reports on a Dwolla integration at a Pittsburgh-based supermarket chain.
  • Virtual Piggy service will be integrated into Girly Stuff’s e-commerce launch. Check out Virtual Piggy at FinovateFall.
  • FutureAdvisor raises $5 mil, launches 401(k) fee analyzer tool.
  • Currensee and Direct FX form partnership.
  • Jwaala and Truaxis team up to provide credit unions with StatementRewards platform. Come to FinovateFall to check out Truaxis’ live demo.
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.