Manhattan’s Upper West Side came alive with the buzz of financial innovation recently, playing host to the annual Fintech Innovation Demo Day. This event, which was produced in collaboration with the Partnership Fund for New York City and Accenture, served as a launchpad for twelve notable fintech startups. The common theme was using advanced technology like AI, machine learning, and predictive analytics to tackle challenges related to security, wealth management, financial literacy, ESG-focused banking, crypto trading compliance, and more.
Hailing from the US, UK, and other key financial hubs across the globe, these companies presented innovative banking solutions:
Bfore.AI stands out with its AI-powered cybersecurity system capable of predicting potential threats in advance. Luigi Lenguito, the CEO, equated their approach to that of weather forecasting. Bfore.AI has been successful in predicting a staggering 99.9% of the 20,000 daily phishing attacks it monitors.
Redefined assists businesses in reaching and engaging individuals over 50. CEO Lyndsey Simpson underscored the importance of this demographic, stating, “83% of the wealth in the U.S. is held by individuals over 50 years old.” Businesses lacking an age strategy, she suggested, may miss out on significant growth opportunities.
Billy, a compliance platform, is revolutionizing the construction industry by automating insurance, paperwork, and licensing requirements. Nyasha Harmony Gusta, the CEO, revealed Billy’s involvement in the construction of America’s first high-speed rail, stretching from Orlando to Miami. Interestingly, Gusta added that 7% of construction workers are named William.
Spiral is helping financial institutions incorporate ESG-banking-related products and services into their offerings. According to CEO Shawn Melamed, Spiral can transform even commonplace financial products like debit cards and checking accounts into impact-forward or ESG-forward products.
Argus focuses on employee trade compliance for digital assets. Their software helps prevent insider trading and other compliance failures. Argus CEO, Owen Rapaport, pointed to the growing demand for such services due to the rise in institutions and trading platforms providing access to digital assets.
Breakthru connects companies and youth, enabling young people to earn money by interacting with corporate content. Since launching, Breakthru has been downloaded by 85,000 students aged 15-24. Alex Miles, CEO, forecasts they will reach half a million students within the next 12 months.
Responsive uses AI to mine advisor-client conversations, pinpointing revenue opportunities and investment risks. Their technology assists advisors to “focus more on their clients and less on the compliance, reporting, and documentation,” according to CEO Day Wachell.
These promising startups underscored the transformative potential of fintech at the Fintech Innovation Demo Day. As the landscape of financial services continues to evolve, these innovative companies are poised to shape the future of the industry.