Finovate Alumni News

On Finovate.com

  • AuthenticID Teams Up with MyECheck to Provide Document Authentication

Around the Web

  • OEM agreement between Kofax and BlackHawk Network enables mobile capture on GoWallet digital wallet.
  • Early Warning and BioCatch to collaborate in new data-sharing consortium.
  • Q2 teams up with Acculynk to provide real-time P2P payment service.
  • The Netbanker Blog is Moving to Finovate.com.
  • Lending Club and Citi partner with Varadero Capital to facilitate up to $150 million in loans to provide affordable credit to underserved borrowers and communities.
  • Options trading tool, Orca, partners with Tradier for its Brokerage API.
  • Prosper and OnDeck partner to offer customers more lending options.
  • GDS Link integrates MiiCard’s DirectID into its Credit Risk Management platform to reduce risk and increase conversion rates.
  • Lendio acquires Business Bounce to accelerate business lending on its marketplace platform.
  • PaySimple awarded Marketing Team of the Year by Marketo.
  • TechCrunch reports: SecondMarket launching product to put more control over secondary sales in the hands of startups.

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.

AlwaysOn’s OnFinance Top 100 Features 30 Finovate Alums

AlwaysOn’s OnFinance Top 100 Features 30 Finovate Alums

AlwaysOn_homepage

More than a quarter of the companies recognized in AlwaysOn’s first OnFinance Top 100 roster are Finovate alums.

The OnFinance Top 100 is designed to recognize the Top 100 private companies in fintech. The list was chosen by the AlwaysOn editorial team, along with several venture capital firms and industry experts. The criteria included degree of innovation, market potential, commercialization, stakeholder value, and “media buzz.”

The list is divided into six categories, and Finovate alums are well represented in each. Category winners will be announced at Always On’s event at the NASDAQ OMX in New York City at the end of April 2015.

Banking and corporate finance

Big data and analytics

Capital markets and investing

Digital currencies

Payment platforms

Personal finance management

Headquartered in Menlo Park, California, AlwaysOn was founded in 2003 by Tony Perkins, founder and editor of Red Herring magazine. The company serves as a networking and social media platform for technology professionals in variety of fields, and has a membership of more than 5,000.

Prosper Pulls in $165 Million in Funding, Boosting Valuation to $1.9 Billion

Prosper Pulls in $165 Million in Funding, Boosting Valuation to $1.9 Billion

ProsperHomepage

P2P lending company Prosper brought in $165 million in Series D financing yesterday. This doubles the company’s valuation to $1.9 billion, and classifies it as a fintech unicorn—a private company worth more than $1 billion.

The investment was led by Credit Suisse NEXT. Investors also include financial institutions and venture capital firms:

  • USAA
  • SunTrust Bank
  • J.P. Morgan Asset Management
  • BBVA
  • Neuberger Berman Private Equity Funds
  • Passport Capital
  • Breyer Capital

Founded in 2006, Prosper raised its first round of funding in 2005 to the tune of $7.5 million. Prior to this week’s installment, the company’s funding totaled $190 million; the San Francisco-based company’s funding now totals $355 million.

Three of the financial institutions that furnished the financing, USAA, BBVA, and SunTrust, are in talks with Prosper to co-brand loans for their customers. The company’s competitor, Lending Club, has been co-branding loans with Union Bank since May 2014 and with Bank Alliance community bank members since February 2015.

Prosper facilitated $1.6 billion in loan origination in 2014. This is four times what it did the year prior and more than half of its total $3 billion since launching in 2006.

Prosper plans to use the funding to expand beyond debt consolidation loans into healthcare lending.

ProsperListings

Competitor Lending Club went public last December with an IPO that initially valued it around $8 billion. Its current market cap is $6.9 billion. Lending Club has issued $7.6 billion in consumer loans since launching in 2006.

While both companies are similar, Prosper is working hard to differentiate itself. The company, which offers unsecured consumer loans ranging from $2,000 to $35,000, states it has no intent to enter small-business lending. Meanwhile, competitor Lending Club launched its small-business segment, which enables companies to borrow up to $300,000, in March of 2014. According to American Banker, instead of extending financing to small businesses, Prosper plans to focus on finding a partner to help it expand into South America or Asia.

LendingClubSMB

Prosper last demonstrated at FinovateSpring 2009 in San Francisco.

Finovate Alumni News

On Finovate.com

  • Prosper Pulls in $165 Million in Funding, Boosting Valuation to $1.9 Billion

Around the web

  • Digital Insight releases Android smartwatch functionality with Wright-Patt Credit Union.
  • Australian Banking Finance features Avoka CEO Derek Corcoran.
  • Louisville business blog features Onovative. Catch them at FinovateSpring 12/13 May 2015.
  • MX releases first look at its AppleWatch.
  • Linqto’s Personal Banker receives Overall Most Innovative Award in Barlow Research Associates’ 2015 Monarch Awards for in business banking.

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

On Finovate.com

  • FreeAgent Scores $5 Million Line of Credit
  • Patch of Land Earns $23 Million Investment Led by SF Capital Group
  • Finovate Debuts: CashSentinel’s Mobile Escrow Service

Around the web

  • Nine Lives Media ranks ProfitStars’ Gladiator Technology in 6th annual MSPmentor 501 Global Edition.
  • Kreditech brings on Oliver Prill as COO.
  • PYMNTS: Prosper closes out financing round that pushes its valuation to $1.9 billion.
  • PYMNTS interviews Bento CEO and founder Farhan Ahmad. See Bento demo live at FinovateSpring in San Jose.
  • PayPal Makes Acquisition of CyActive Official.
  • TechCrunch: Dashlane’s “Inbox Scan” Tool Uncovers The Passwords You’ve Saved In Your Email.
  • Arxan expands application protection to support all major internet of things (IoT) platforms.
  • Holvi partners with identity-intelligence specialist GBGroup to ensure all customers are verified.
  • Malauzai Software announces 5 community banks to launch SmartwearApps for the Apple Watch.

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

On Finovate.com

  • “Finovate Alums Win Leading Vendor Honors from MyPrivateBanking Research”
  • Last Chance for FinovateSpring Early-Bird Tickets… Save $100″
  • “ReadyForZero Acquired by Avant in Cash and Stock Deal”
  • “Wallaby Launches Wise Bread Rewards Maximizer”

Around the web

  • Nomis Solutions announces new partnership with Tangerine.
  • blooom wins Kansas City’s InnovateHER pitch competition.
  • PYMNTS.com MPD CEO Karen Webster interviews Todd Doherty, TSYS senior director of analytics.
  • Tech City highlights TransferWise and Azimo in its look at the remittance industry.
  • GMC Software named Xplor’s Technology of the Year for its Inspire Dynamic Communications solution.
  • “D+H to Buy Payments Firm Fundtech for $1.25 Billion”
  • Google Cloud Platform launches Cloud Console for Android.
  • Bluefin Payment Systems and Phoenix Managed Networks partner to provide Bluefin’s Decryptx P2PE Solution to clients of Phoenix Managed Networks.
  • Xero reaches 200,000 customers in Australia.
  • Prosper reaches record loan originations for March, surpasses $3 billion in lending.

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.

Alumni News– February 27, 2015

  • Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Finovate-F-Logo.jpgWired column looks at LoopPay and the evolution of digital wallets.
  • Silanis Technology partners with Box to help the cloud storage and file sharing specialist provide financial services.
  • Bank of the West to offer photo billpay courtesy of technology from Fiserv and Top Image Systems.
  • Finovate Debuts: Novabase Puts Watson-Powered Wizzio to Work Boosting Sales and Productivity.
  • Mainstreet reviews top roboadvisors including Wealthfront, Betterment, Personal Capital, FutureAdvisor, SigFig, Motif Investing, and LearnVest.
  • Prosper partners with Western Independent Bankers to offer consumer loans to unattractive borrowers.
  • Tech City News features video highlights from FinovateEurope 2015.
  • That Was Easy: Staples to Use Lendio to Power Small Business Lending.
  • Daily Fintech looks at programmable bank trends via APIs from Fidor, Open Bank Project, Yodlee, and Xignite.
  • AlleyWatch interviews MaxMyInterest CEO and founder Gary Zimmerman.
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.

Alumni News– January 27, 2015

  • Finovate-F-Logo.jpgHarland Clarke to use CUneXus’ cplXpress to enable automated, pre-approved lending to its customers.
  • With grant from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Social Money to pilot CorePro in India to help underbanked.
  • Spreedly crossed the $50 million credit card transactions per month milestone in December.
  • TechCrunch: Prosper purchases American Healthcare Lending for $21 million.
  • Cachet Financial’s Mobile Money Platform integrates with ApplePay.
  • Check out FinovateEurope 2015 Sneak Peek: Part 5. We’ll see you there in two weeks.
  • Hara Partners lists PayStand as one of five ecommerce solutions for SMBs.
  • Tradeshift partners with Recruit Holdings, Japan’s largest staffing company, to solidify presence in Japan.
  • Navy FCU’s Visa Buxx App, powered by Cachet Financial Solutions, named winner in Paybefore Awards.
  • Authentify’s xFA available on Samsung’s Solutions Exchange, enabling two/multi-factor authentication on Samsung devices.
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 Alums Fill Ranks of KPMG’s Fintech Innovators for 2014

Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Finovate-F-Logo.jpg

Draw up a list of the top fintech innovators of 2014. Got it? Now tell me how many of your top 50 companies are not just impressive companies in their respective fields, but Finovate alums, as well.

If you are global accounting and consulting group, KPMG, then the answer is “more than half.”

Of the 50 companies recognized by KPMG in its 2014 review of top fintech innovators, 27 have demoed their technologies at Finovate conferences. And of that 27, 13 have won Best of Show at least once.
50Fintechreport.jpg
The inaugural “50 Best Fintech Innovators” report is a joint venture between AWI Ventures KPMG Australia and the Financial Services Council (FSC). 
The companies chosen were selected based on four factors: total capital raised, rate of capital raising, degree of sub industry disruption, and “degree of product, service, customer experience and business model innovation.” 
Writing in an introduction to the report, AWI Limited CEO Ben Heap explained why fundraising played such a prominent part of the selection process.
“These assessment criteria reflect the fact that venture capital invested is a relevant measure of innovation which in turn fuels enduring competitive advantage,” he wrote. 
“Venture capitalists seek this enduring competitive advantage over and above everything else.”
Here’s a breakdown of Finovate alums in the list, in order of appearance, along with links to their most recent demo video. Boldface indicates Best of Show winner.
“Ones to Watch” 
See the full list of companies here.

Alumni News– December 17, 2014

  • Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Finovate-F-Logo.jpgThe Jerusalem Post profiles Israeli startup, TipRanks.
  • CashStar Market Solution is now powering 150 promotions during this year’s winter holiday season.
  • Enterprising Investor highlights Betterment, LearnVest, Motif Investing, Venmo, and Wealthfront in its column on Millennials and money.
  • TechZone 360 discusses CrowdFlower in a review of “What’s Hot and What’s Not on Data Science for 2015.”
  • Yahoo! Finance features an interview with Rippleshot co-founder and CPO Yueyu Fu.
  • WingCash unveils Brand Cash, a digital currency that replaces merchant-specific gift and loyalty cards.
  • Financial Times profiles Betterment CEO and co-founder, Jon Stein.
  • After Manilla’s demise, Mint launches bill pay and bill management platform.
  • Time, Inc partners with Coinbase to accept bitcoin for subscriptions to Fortune, Health, This Old House and Travel + Leisure.
  • Tradeshift to waive 30% revenue share from organizations that build apps to support the circular economy http://bit.ly/13cY6S6
  • Wealth Management looks at the human advisors behind Personal Capital and SigFig.
  • Money Talks News lists alternative lending sites to consider: Prosper, Lending Club, and Kabbage.
  • ID Analytics names Timothy Laughlin as new CFO.
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.

Alumni News– December 11, 2014

  • Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Finovate-F-Logo.jpgMalauzai Software announces launch of its SmartMarketing program to promote mobile banking.
  • Azimo extends £1 money transfer service to India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
  • Information Week takes a look at mobile payment apps including Flint.
  • Mortgage Harmony rebrands as Rate Reset.
  • Contact Solutions, IDology, and Pindrop Security team up to Cut IVR Fraud.
  • Examiner.com: Dynamics‘ next-generation credit card features buttons to log-in PIN security code.
  • Lendio CEO explains how his company is fueling the American dream.
  • Prosper comments on Lending Club IPO, expects to top $9 billion in loans this year.
  • PayNearMe partners with Department of Health and Human Services to spread the word about healthcare.
  • Bluefin Payment Systems to provide its PCI-validated Point-to-Point Encryption (P2PE) Solution to Priority Payment clients.
  • Career Bliss lists PayPal, Intuit, and Google in the top 50 happiest companies in the U.S.
  • Lending Club launches IPO, shares rally 70% in early trading.
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.

Alumni News– November 18, 2014

  • Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Finovate-F-Logo.jpgCoinbase to introduce bitcoin tip button to enable micropayment acceptance online.
  • Venmo users can now log in using both bank ID and Touch ID.
  • TechWeek Europe takes a look at Arxan Technologies’ State of Mobile App Security report.
  • Malaysian Digest features Azimo in a discussion on the revolution in the money transfer industry.
  • Dough Roller interviews iQuantifi CEO and Co-Founder, Tom White.
  • Business News Daily quotes Igor Gonta, CEO of Market Prophit on the importance of having a social media strategy.
  • PostFinance AG’s Monexio selects Mobino platform to help develop its own digital payment solutions.
  • SK Planet wins first prize at KPRA Awards 2014 for its filter program, Flitter.
  • Hiscox launches new digital insurance platform powered by Backbase CXP.
  • PayPal challenges Apple Pay with an app for the Pebble smartwatch.
  • The European Commission approves Tradeshift data format for government purchasing.
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.