The Five Most Interesting Companies at Finovate

Finovate is a popular conference series featuring young technology companies that are focused on financial services.

For the most part, these are very young companies that may be looking for initial or additional funding.  Most also have a natural interest in pitching to a resource rich audience that consists of much larger players such as Wells Fargo, Intuit, Google, etc.  Mint, for example, is a company that has apparently spent several years on the Finovate circuit. 

The presentation format is perfect.  Seven minutes (with a very hard stop) for each company to present a demo to an audience of 500+ people—no PowerPoint presentations allowed.

36 companies presented at the most recent Finovate conference in San Francisco.

While kudos are in order for each company and presentation, flash impressions of the most interesting companies at the conference are as follows:

Wikinvest: There would seem to be little doubt about the future success and impact of this company.  Financial services data aggregation is a common theme at Finovate but it is rapidly becoming a commodity.  Wikinvest is heads and shoulders above the field when it comes to leveraging data aggregation to provide interesting features/analytics and outstanding products.

Kabbage: On-the-fly credit risk analysis and lending to online sellers.  This is something very different, innovative and potentially disruptive.  An impressive demo with an applicant’s account funded in less than 7 minutes.

Bobber Interactive: I am not sure whether this was a product or a very elaborate demo that has yet to become a product.  In any event, it was very impressive and I am certain would appeal to my 15 year old nephew.  Certainly seems that this company and demo should have caught the eye of any early stage venture investors in attendance.

Cortera: Think of a Web 2.0 version of Dun and Bradstreet that is focused on small medium sized businesses.  In other words, commercial credit analysis and information with a social media bent that covers the vast majority of American business.  Not necessarily sexy, but very, very interesting.

Continuity Control: Financial institution compliance services.  Seems like a no-brainer in light of pending financial reform and everything other crisis-reform cycle that has taken place in the financial services sector over the past decade or so.  A solid presentation and what appears to be a solid management team.

eRollover: Have to them a nod as the company hits close to home with the focus on retirement planning.   Also spent some quality time with their very high quality CEO .  A breath of fresh air for the retirement income industry and a company we will continue to follow.