Benzinga Fintech Awards Aim To Create Wealth In Capital Markets

Last year Benzinga set out to create an event that would bring together the most groundbreaking and innovative companies that improve the way individuals create wealth in the capital markets. It was a tall order, but Benzinga wasn't about to give up.

"We want to change the definition of financial technology to include capital markets," said Kyle Bazzy, president of Benzinga.

Benzinga created the first-ever Benzinga Fintech Awards to help fulfill that dream. Companies were invited (and encouraged) to apply, but it was up to the community to decide who would move on to the final round.

"Companies like TD Ameritrade, E*Trade, Morningstar, Motif Investing, Estimize, Capital Market Labs and Vetr are just a few that have participated," said Joel Theard, director of special projects.

Now that voting has concluded, finalists will head to New York on April 8 for the Benzinga Fintech Awards Gala.

"The caliber of companies that competed this year has been impressive," said Josh Brown, Chief Executive Officer of Ritholtz Wealth Management. "If you're looking for the next big company in fintech -- and tech companies in general -- you need to be at this event."

Brown is one of the judges of the Benzinga Fintech Awards. He is joined by Andrew Ackerman (managing director of DreamIt New York), Steve Ehrlich (CEO of Honos Financial), Ron Insana (senior analyst at CNBC and a financial industry expert), Charlie Kroll (former CEO/founder of Andera) and Benzinga's own Kyle Bazzy.

First-Of-Its-Kind Event

Benzinga's goals for this gala cannot be understated.

"The Fintech Awards Gala will be the first event to feature products that help people create wealth in capital markets," said Bazzy.

That target was in sight from day one. To ensure that goal was met, Benzinga looked at the awards categories as an actual trader or investor might. This allowed the team to narrow the category list down to the ones that matter most.

"We deeply believe there's a better way to help people take control of their financial future and these great companies are bringing us one step closer to achieving that," Bazzy added. "We are excited to do our part."

Disclosure: At the time of this writing, Louis Bedigian had no position in the equities mentioned in this report.