This Week’s Vendor News

NEW & UPDATED PRODUCTS

Domos FS has updated its Investor Portal Data Room. The new interface allows users to share important fundraising documents with prospective investors while maintaining complete control over document sharing. ↗

Alkymi is launching two new features for users to find data across documents on its platform. 1) Find related records from within the Document Viewer: When viewing any document within Alkymi’s platform, you can click the button next to any extracted data field to find documents with matching data, with the option to add a date range to limit your results to a particular period. 2) Create a custom filtered view of your documents: Use any number of filters in the Records tab to view and analyze data points across specific documents. Because Alkymi automatically detects and validates data types, you’ll see filter options matching the type of that data field. ↗

FIS has launched its Climate Risk Financial Modeler to help clients assess, reduce and report risks tied to climate change. FIS Climate Risk Financial Modeler harmonizes client data with third-party climate data and is hosted on a new interface that is tailored to the risk management needs of corporates and financial institutions, in order to drive more proactive foresight into potential climate-related risks. By adopting FIS’ newl Modeler, clients can gain an assessment of their operations, investments, and strategic positioning from a climate risk perspective, as well as support their climate-related regulatory compliance. ↗

Hyperscience has unveiled Hypercell for GenAI, a new solution that transforms complex documents into LLM and RAG-ready data, automatically, and continuously. The new solution teaches LLMs the language of the user’s business, based on ground truth documents embedded at the core of the enterprise. Through a trusted interface, customers can use Hypercell for GenAI to accelerate mission critical workflows, grounded in secure and proprietary data. ↗

Drawbridge has released its next generation cyber risk assessment service. Provided as a suite of modules, the solution combines a unique set of analytics with Drawbridge’s client service. Clients can now benchmark and score their cyber programs to prioritize risk remediation by comparing themselves to over 1,000 other managers in real-time. Also included in the suite is a powerful set of features which enable clients, working with their Drawbridge advisor, to plan for and evidence how they are addressing risks, leveraging “what-if” scenario analysis and remediation planning and reporting. In addition, a new “Crosscheck” feature will let Drawbridge advisors help managers validate their due diligence questionnaire responses against three areas of evidence: what it is learning from other Drawbridge services (such as scanning), what it finds in any shared documents and responses to other DDQs.  ↗

Ark has launched a new fund accounting solution. Ark will deliver: real-time insights, configurable reporting, automated workflows, and a user-centric interface. Key features of this new solution include: built for private funds, investor reporting and allocations, capital calls distributions, push-button financials, bank integration and fund-specific general ledger. ↗

Microsoft has launched its Dynamics 365 Contact Center, a Copilot-first cloud contact center to upgrade service experiences. With general availability on July 1, this Contact Center as a Service (CCaaS) solution enables customers to maximize their current investments by connecting to preferred CRMs or custom apps. Dynamics 365 Contact Center infuses generative AI throughout the contact center workflow — spanning communication, self-service, intelligent routing, agent-assisted service and operations to help contact centers solve problems faster, empower agents and reduce costs. ↗

DEAL ACTIVITY

ERM has signed a deal to acquire Energetics, an Australian climate risk and energy transition consultancy firm. The acquisition will enhance ERM’s ability to support clients with strategic advice and practical on-the-ground implementation across Australia and the broader Asia Pacific region. Energetics will join ERM’s climate change and corporate sustainability practice and will add strength to its services in decarbonization strategy and reporting, climate risk assessment and adaptation planning. It also brings specific capabilities in energy markets and services to help de-risk businesses and investors engaging in Australia’s energy transition. ↗

StepStone Group has raised $3.3 billion for StepStone VC Secondaries Fund VI, L.P., the firm’s sixth secondaries fund focused on opportunities in the venture capital asset class. The oversubscribed fund had strong participation from existing investors, as well as select new limited partners. It represents the largest fund exclusively pursuing venture capital secondaries raised to date. ↗

Dasseti has raised $4.3 million in Series A extension financing, led by Nasdaq Ventures. The Series A extension increases Dasseti’s total Series A financing to $10.3 million. The additional financing will enable continued investment in AI, ESG, workflow automation enhancements, and international growth. Since announcing its strategic partnership with Nasdaq as a part of its initial Series A announcement last year, Dasseti has integrated Nasdaq eVestment data into its software, which helps streamline the data collection process for allocators within Dasseti’s platform. ↗

Moonfare has congratulated Bregal Unternehmerkapital on the final close of its oversubscribed Fund IV, with total capital commitments of €2.65 billion. Moonfare partnered with Bregal Unternehmerkapital on its Network Investor Program for Fund IV, facilitating investments from BU's network of entrepreneurs and industry advisors into the fund. ↗

PARTNERSHIPS & INTEGRATIONS

SEI and Canoe expand upon partnership to advance alts data management for family offices using the Archway platform. This new integration between Canoe and Archway automates the transmission of private equity and hedge fund valuations, as well as Private Equity Call and Distribution data. Moreover, Hedge Fund subscriptions and redemptions extracted from Canoe can be imported into Archway. By automating data transmission and ensuring data consistency, the integration streamlines the process of accessing and integrating alts data. This not only enhances operational efficiency but also mitigates the risk of errors, empowering family offices to make informed decisions. ↗

Arcesium is expanding its collaboration with Bloomberg to make its Data License Plus Solution available to mutual clients. Now with access to DL+, Arcesium and Bloomberg clients can seamlessly integrate Bloomberg’s Data License content into their day-to-day workflows via the Arcesium platform. DL+ will enable mutual users to provide their downstream consumers with consistent data, synchronously acquired from multiple delivery channels and linked together, unlocking access to over 275 Bloomberg Bulk Data License datasets. ↗

Intapp is partnering with Bite Investments to enhance investor management. Through this partnership, Intapp DealCloud clients using Bite Investments’ fundraising and investor management software, Bite Stream, can now directly access an investor portal within DealCloud. Bite Stream’s integration with DealCloud addresses core needs for alternative asset managers, including: 1) Full investor lifecycle management in one platform, with a unified view of investor information, fund performance, and deal pipelines. 2) Seamless data transfers between the Bite Stream Investor Portal and DealCloud, including automated investor profile creation. 3) Advanced analytics and enhanced visualization of investor activity. ↗

Factors.ai partners with G2 to bring enhanced measurement to customers. Factors.ai customers can now leverage the Buyer Intent data purchased from G2 directly in Factors.ai. This helps mutual customers of Factors.ai and G2 see how their buyers engage with G2 during their buyer journey and what conversion rates result. Factors.ai built an integration to help tech marketers better understand their performance and ROI with G2. The aim is to attribute results and gain insights into the buyer journey relative to how buyers convert to website visits, leads, opportunities, and sales based on their research on G2. ↗

OneTrust has integrated with the Interactive Advertising Bureau Diligence Platform, powered by SafeGuard Privacy. This new integration, IAB Diligence Platform's first integration, enables OneTrust users to seamlessly integrate IAB Diligence Platform vendor assessments into the OneTrust platform. This partnership aims to boost efficiency, accuracy, and accountability across the digital advertising industry and in adherence to data privacy compliance requirements. By harnessing the power of interoperability, the IAB Diligence Platform facilitates secure sharing of critical diligence information among companies, fostering collaboration and bolstering regulatory adherence across the digital landscape. This gives OneTrust users access to a mix of capabilities that streamline digital advertising privacy compliance. ↗

FundGuard has announced a strategic alliance with ICE, which is part of Intercontinental Exchange, to enhance user experience with investment accounting with data integration. The collaboration will provide asset managers, asset owners and fund administrators with integrated access to ICE’s pricing and reference data via FundGuard’s investment accounting solutions for IBOR, ABOR, and NAV Contingency. The integration includes ICE’s exchange pricing, evaluations, reference data and corporate actions. ↗

Preqin has partnered with European B2B platform Privatize to increase access to private markets data and educational tools for financial advisers, wealth managers and investors. Preqin will provide data and insights on the asset class, while Privatize will translate Preqin's content into local languages to educate its clients. ↗

Neuberger Berman has chosen portagon to expand its private markets exposure to private wealth advisors. Starting from June, 6 2024 the “NB Direct Private Equity Fund 2024” will be available on the portagon distribution platform. ↗

iCapital Canada has been appointed Investment Fund Manager for Prime Quadrant’s Alternative Investment Access Funds. iCapital’s end-to-end enterprise solution will support Prime Quadrant and their families by providing all administrative functions associated with managing their various alternative investment Access funds, while Prime Quadrant remains the portfolio manager handling the selection of the underlying investment managers and strategies. ↗

OFFICE & PERSONNEL

Broadridge Financial Solutions has announced that Edmund Reese, Chief Financial Officer, will be stepping down from his role, effective June 30, 2024, to become Chief Financial Officer of Aon, a $61 billion market capitalization global professional services firm. Ashima Ghei, who is currently the Chief Financial Officer of Broadridge’s $4.5 billion revenue Investor Communication Solutions segment, will serve as Interim Chief Financial Officer. Ghei has held her current role since January 2022 and is a member of the company’s Executive Leadership Team. Prior to joining Broadridge, Ghei spent 18 years at American Express, where she held a range of senior roles in Finance and Business strategy. Meanwhile, Broadridge has initiated a search process for a permanent successor that will include both internal and external candidates. ↗

IQ-EQ has appointed Johann Champain as its new Sales Director for France. Champain will play a large role in driving IQ-EQ's sales strategy forward together with Romain Mifsud and Thomas Ibanez, while adding value for clients in France. Champain spent over 17 years at Societe Generale Securities Services, most recently as a Sales & Relationship Manager - Private Market. ↗

Kroll has appointed Mihir Bhatt as Head of Restructuring for the Middle East. Based in the UAE, Bhatt will oversee Kroll’s restructuring capabilities and growth strategy in the region. Bhatt has 20 years of experience, including 15 years in the Middle East, across a range of restructuring situations including debt capital, turnaround and operational improvement. Bhatt's leadership and experience with both public and private clients in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar will support the growth of Kroll’s restructuring and financial advisory services in the region. ↗

Jim Burke has joined Verivend as its new Marketing Director. Until recently, Burke was Head of Marketing at Carta. ↗

SS&C is expanding its global footprint with the recent opening of an Abu Dhabi office. This move enables SS&C to offer end-to-end hands-on fund administration services to clients in the region. ↗

Nawar Alsaadi has joined Position Green’s Advisory Board. Alsaadi has held several senior ESG-related roles during his career: Chief Impact Officer at ScopeFour Capital, Senior Portfolio Manager ESG Investing at Canada Post Pension Plan, and Director of ESG Insights at ethical investment firm, NEI investments, among other executive and advisory roles. With over fifteen years of experience in the area of sustainable investments, Alsaadi will play a central role in guiding Position Green towards impactful initiatives and strategic growth outside the Nordics. ↗

Enrika Gramauskaite, who completed her marketing internship with Owlin, is officially joining the team. Gramauskaite will be contributing to Owlin's marketing efforts for the company. ↗

Position Green has appointed Amanda Bangs as Managing Director of the United States. In her role, Bangs will oversee the company’s strategic initiatives across the US, including building partnerships, expanding market presence, and helping organizations achieve their sustainability ambitions. Prior to joining Position Green, Bangs led partnerships for a private markets-focused ESG reporting platform, supported McDonald’s carbon reduction goals as an EDF Climate Corps Fellow, and led management consulting engagements at Deloitte. ↗

Melissa Monahan has started a new position as Talent Acquisition & Human Resources VP at FundGuard. In her new role, Monahan is part of the core Human Resources and recruitment team; focusing on US-based talent and employee objectives. Before joining FundGuard, Monahan was the Talent Acquisition Lead, VP, N. America at State Street and has also spent time at Charles River Development. ↗

Apex Group has launched in Namibia. Apex Group has officially marked its expansion into Southern Africa with its new office in Namibia. Apex's Namibian clients, along with international clients investing in Namibia, will benefit from the efficiency of its single-source solutions, including: digital banking, depositary, fund raising services and ESG ratings and advisory solutions. ↗

Amanda Belleza has been promoted to Senior Associate at Cadence. Belleza has been with Cadence since 2022 and has worked across all three of Cadence's service lines. ↗

Charissa Tomlin has been promoted to Partner at ERM. Tomlin has been with ERM for the last four years. ↗

VENDOR RESEARCH & WHITEPAPERS

Delio has a new blog, "Discussing the benefits of digitally native private markets deal structuring". In this article, Delio goes over the many advantages of digitally native deal structuring for clients, which includes cost-savings, standardised processes and faster time to market. ↗

AWARDS

The winners of the 2024 FTF Awards have been announced.

Winners from our Vendor Profiles database include:

Arcesium - BEST MIDDLE-TO-BACK-OFFICE INTEGRATION SOLUTION
SimCorp One - BEST BUY-SIDE OPERATION SOLUTION
FactSet - BEST CLIENT REPORTING SOLUTION
SS&C Aloha - BEST CLOUD-NATIVE COMPUTING INITIATIVE
FIS - BEST INNOVATION IN A CLEARING AND SETTLEMENT SOLUTION
S&P Global Market Intelligence - BEST OUTSOURCING PROVIDER
Nasdaq AxiomSL - BEST PROFESSIONAL SERVICES PROVIDER ↗

The Winners of the 2024 Banking Tech Awards USA have been announced.

Winners from our Vendor Profiles database include:

Best as-a-Service Solution – Integration & Automation: SS&C Technologies
Tech of the Future – Customer Experience: Katipult Technology

Congrats to all the winners! ↗