Columbia Threadneedle Investments Selects Partners for Boston-based FinTech Start-up Accelerator Program

Rhea-AI Summary

Columbia Threadneedle Investments has selected three fintech start-ups as partners for the 2021 MassChallenge FinTech accelerator program. These include Knomea Corporation, Manetu, Inc., and WEVO, focusing on data analysis, privacy management, and user conversion strategies. Jay Leopold emphasized the importance of innovation to meet client needs amid market transformations. Columbia Threadneedle has engaged with MassChallenge since 2019, successfully partnering with various fintechs, and aims to enhance its business strategies through these collaborations.

Positive

• Collaborating with three fintech start-ups to enhance data analysis and privacy management.
• Participation in the MassChallenge FinTech program demonstrates commitment to innovation.
• Previous successful partnerships with fintechs indicate a strong trend toward effective collaborations.

Negative

• None.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments today announced the selection of three innovative fintech start-ups as its partners in 2021’s MassChallenge FinTech accelerator program. By partnering with these firms, Columbia Threadneedle and its parent company, Ameriprise Financial, hope to harness new technologies in the areas of data analysis, data privacy and security, and digital client experiences.

The three start-ups are:

• Knomea Corporation developed a data technology platform that helps make global, alternative, subscription and internal data discoverable and useful.
• Manetu, Inc. offers a Consumer Privacy Management platform that provides seamless, dynamic and intelligent end-to-end management of consumer consent and data access.
• WEVO tests concepts and designs of webpages without live traffic to pinpoint why visitors aren’t converting and generates recommendations to improve conversion, before going live.

Jay Leopold, executive sponsor and head of U.S. investment risk at Columbia Threadneedle stated, “Harnessing innovation is vital in supporting business growth and meeting clients’ needs. Our industry is being transformed rapidly by increased regulation, greater demand for transparency into how our products perform and are priced, and the digitization of the sales process and customer experience. These forces present us with critical challenges and important opportunities.”

“We believe collaborating with the fintech community through MassChallenge FinTech provides us with fresh perspectives on how we do business and will enhance our organization’s ability to think creatively,” Leopold added.

Columbia Threadneedle is one of 10 challenge partners in the program, which pairs global financial services enterprises with start-ups to accelerate outcomes-driven partnerships. This year, 30 start-ups were selected to solve challenges presented by the 10 partners. The program runs from January to June 2021.

Columbia Threadneedle and Ameriprise have participated in the MassChallenge FinTech Program since 2019 and have completed successful proofs of concept with several fintech partners, including ForwardLane, Colaese, Cognicor and Alkymi. The partnership between Columbia Threadneedle and Diffeo won MassChallenge’s first place award in 2019 in recognition of the successful collaboration between both firms. In addition, based on work completed during last year’s program, Ameriprise is partnering with a startup to support its digital strategy. Columbia Threadneedle and Ameriprise are also exploring longer-term relationships with other partners.

About Columbia Threadneedle Investments

Columbia Threadneedle Investments is a leading global asset manager that provides a broad range of investment strategies and solutions for individual, institutional and corporate clients around the world. With more than 2,000 people, including over 450 investment advisors based in North America, Europe and Asia, we manage $498 billion¹ of assets across developed and emerging market equities, fixed income, asset allocation solutions and alternatives.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments is the global asset management group of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (NYSE: AMP). For more information, please visit columbiathreeedneedleus.com. Follow us on Twitter.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments (Columbia Threadneedle) is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies.

¹As of September 30, 2020. Includes all assets managed by entities in the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies.

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FAQ

What fintech start-ups did Columbia Threadneedle select in 2021?

Columbia Threadneedle selected Knomea Corporation, Manetu, Inc., and WEVO for its 2021 MassChallenge FinTech accelerator program.

What is the focus of the partnerships formed by Columbia Threadneedle?

The partnerships focus on data analysis, consumer privacy management, and improving digital client experiences.

What is the significance of the MassChallenge FinTech program for Columbia Threadneedle?

The MassChallenge FinTech program is significant as it helps Columbia Threadneedle foster innovation and address market challenges through collaborations with fintech start-ups.

What previous successes has Columbia Threadneedle achieved with fintech partners?

Columbia Threadneedle has had successful collaborations with fintech partners since 2019, including winning MassChallenge's first-place award with Diffeo.

How much assets does Columbia Threadneedle manage?

Columbia Threadneedle manages $498 billion in assets across various investment strategies.