BankTech Ventures

BankTech Ventures is a strategic investment fund dedicated to empowering community banks by investing in leading financial technology companies. The firm's mission is to accelerate innovation and digital transformation within the community banking sector, providing these institutions with critical technology decision support, business impact from portfolio companies, and investment returns. They operate with an ecosystem approach, fostering collaboration among bankers, tech founders, investors, and advocates to advance community banking.

The firm was founded in November 2021 in response to a clear demand from community bankers seeking guidance on investing in the best industry technology and identifying solutions to support their digital evolution. Key partners involved in its establishment include general partners from Sunwest Bank, Coastal Financial, Hovde Group, and the ICBA. BankTech Ventures closed its inaugural Fund I with $116.1 million in committed capital, primarily raised from over 100 community banks who also serve as limited partners, providing a unique built-in customer distribution channel for their portfolio companies.

BankTech Ventures invests in early to growth-stage bank technology companies, with a focus on solutions that address the direct needs of community banks. Their investment strategy encompasses various sectors, including fintech, AI, cybersecurity, SaaS, and commerce. Notable portfolio companies include Abacus (AI infrastructure for regulated industries), Adlumin (security operations platform), Beauceron Security (cybersecurity awareness), Blooma (cloud-based commercial real estate lending), CNote (aligns deposits to high-impact community financial institutions), Equabli (debt collection and recovery management), Filejet (compliance for SMBs), Micronotes (automated financial messaging), Monit (digital CFO tools for SMBs), SOLO (credit underwriting), Torpago (credit and spend management), and Vero Technologies (commercial lending platform).

The team at BankTech Ventures comprises experienced professionals with backgrounds in banking, fintech, and software. Key team members include Carey Ransom (Managing Director), Brandon Oliver (Principal), Katie Quilligan (Principal), Tal Sigura (Principal), Rumika Sharma (Investor), Ryan Walsh (Community and Operations Manager), Sarah Hovde (Head of Investor Relations), Pam Kaur (Head of Bank Technology), and Samantha Malloy (Operations Coordinator). This diverse expertise enables the firm to provide comprehensive support and strategic guidance to both its investor banks and portfolio companies.