Katherine Regnier to Receive 2020 WESK Celebration of Achievement Award
Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan (WESK) recently honored Coconut Founder and CEO Katherine Regnier, with the WESK Celebration of Achievement Award. Katherine was formally presented with the award at WESK’s 25th Anniversary Awards Gala, presented by Conexus Credit Union in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on September 30th, 2020. The Celebration of Achievement Award pays tribute to an exceptional female centerpreneur who has built a business in Saskatchewan with a significant impact on the economy and the community. This centerpreneur is an inspirational leader and a role model for women in business. Katherine is the third Celebration of Achievement recipient, preceded by Rachel Mielke in 2018, and Jess Tetu in 2019. Check out her acceptance speech: https://youtu.be/mt7-4t_Fy90 “When I started this journey, I didn’t know how hard the mountain would be to climb. I didn’t realize how much support, encouragement, and helping hands I would need to keep going. And last but not least, I didn’t foresee being a role model to other women centerpreneurs or being noted as one of the few women leading a tech company in Canada. But what I do know now, is that it takes a community to come this far, and I feel so privileged to be receiving this award from WESK’s collection of strong women right here at home” – Katherine Regnier At 3-months pregnant, Katherine quit her full-time job focus solely on Coconut Software. After five years of bootstrapping her company to over $1M in sales, Katherine decided to seek venture capital funds. To date, Katherine has successfully raised $4.9M and has grown her team to over 50 employees. Her success has helped to put Canada on the map with investors across North America. Katherine is passionate about giving back to the community and is a strong advocate for centerpreneurs and women in technology. She is a founding board member of Co.Labs, Saskatchewan’s first technology incubator and hosted the very first Prairie Investment Forum (PIF), which was a celebration of technology and investment in the Prairies. In addition to the Celebration of Achievement Award, WESK is excited to be highlighting other female business leaders in the province as part of the Jewels of Saskatchewan Panel at their 25th Anniversary Awards Gala. Panelists include Jess Tetu, Krista Moe, and Devon Fiddler. WESK CEO Prabha Mitchell states, “The achievements of women centerpreneurs and leaders who are making an extraordinary impact here at home and globally deserves celebration and recognition. The 25th Anniversary Awards Gala is a celebration of exactly that.” “We would like to thank our sponsors of this event and those who have been strong supporters of our vision and mission” stated Mitchell. About WESK Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan’s (WESK) vision is for all Saskatchewan centerpreneurs to have an equal opportunity to achieve success and recognition. Entrepreneurship is a catalyst for independence, economic development, employment, growth, innovation, and equality. For 25 years, WESK has worked with hundreds of women, helping them start, purchase, and expand businesses. WESK is a non-profit, membership-based organization that provides business advisory and support services; start-up, purchase and expansion lending; mentoring and networking, and a variety of learning opportunities from seminars and webinars to events. Since 1995, WESK has provided more than $37 million in loans and professional advice to women across the province. Together, women centerpreneurs and WESK have shaped and enhanced the Saskatchewan economy. WESK is supported by the Western Economic Diversification Canada. About Coconut Software Coconut Software is a leading provider of customer engagement solutions for modern banks and credit unions. By providing technology that elevates the customer experience while improving operational efficiencies, Coconut’s solutions consistently increase satisfaction scores, decrease churn, and strengthen acquisition.
The Branch is Convenient, But Customers Want More
Despite the ongoing shift toward digital services and distancing banking, the branch is far from dead. That said, customers are increasingly expecting a seamless experience when switching between the convenient digital tools they use every day and the branch environment they trust for their most important financial matters.
WECU Adds Online Appointment Scheduling with Coconut Software
Credit union responds to coronavirus by expanding digital accessibility for members. BELLINGHAM (May 26, 2020) — WECU, one of Western Washington’s largest credit unions, has partnered with Coconut Software to offer more streamlined appointment scheduling to its members and non-members as a direct response to the Coronavirus outbreak. “As the news about the Coronavirus and the Governor’s stay-at-home directive rolled in, we had to step back and figure out how to best serve our members during this time,” said Jerimy Saldivar, Director of Member Experience at WECU. “We realized, very quickly, that a solution like this would be beneficial in providing our members the access they need. As a result, we streamlined this project to roll out several months early.” The new platform allows people to easily schedule appointments with WECU loan officers in-person or online. Confirmations and reminders are sent out automatically, notifying both the member and the WECU representative of the upcoming appointment. Investing in digital innovations that enhance the member experience and deepen relationships through personalized interactions continues to be a priority for WECU. In addition to appointment scheduling, in January,WECU launched a new and improved mobile experience through a partnership with BankingOn. “The response by our members to our new mobile banking app exceeded our best expectations,” said Chief Information Officer, Jack Ingram. “Our app rating went from 2.3 to 4.8 and 4.9 in iTunes and Google Play stores respectively. “WECU is committed to providing a frictionless digital experience for our members,” continuedIngram. “Scheduling appointments online is another move toward a banking experience that allows members the ability to interact with our team when and how they choose.” Coconut Software’s appointment scheduling solution will be available at all 11 of WECU’s branches, contact center and two loan centers. About WECU With more than 130,000 members and more than $1.8 billion in assets, WECU a credit union based in Bellingham, Washington. WECU has 415 employees and, in 2020, gave close to $500,000 to various local nonprofits and community groups About Coconut Software Coconut Software is a leading provider of customer engagement solutions for modern banks and credit unions and is backed by investments from Conexus Venture Capital Fund, Information Venture Partners, SaskWorks Venture Fund, Bay Partners, ScaleUp Ventures, PIC Investment Group, with additional financing by CIBC. By providing technology that elevates the customer experience while improving operational efficiencies, Coconut’s solutions consistently improve satisfaction scores, decrease churn, and increase sales. Discover A Modern Way to Engage Get In Touch
Coconut Software Sponsors Women in Data Science Saskatoon
Date: March 2, 2020Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PMLocation: Candle Span Room – Innovation Place114 – 15 Innovation Boulevard Saskatoon, SK S7N 2X8 Register For The Event The Women in Data Science initiative aims to inspire and educate data scientists worldwide and to support women in the field. Women in Data Science (WiDS) Saskatoon is an independent event organized by a group of individuals in Saskatoon who are passionate about data science and innovation in Saskatchewan. The event will coincide with the annual Global Women in Data Science Conference held at Stanford University. The conference is open to everyone, regardless of gender, who is interested in engaging with and learning from the local data science community. Coconut Software will serve as bronze level sponsors for this event. The day will begin with a welcome announcement from the event organizers, followed by two fantastic featured speakers in Briana Brownell and Mayra Samaniego, who will share their experiences in the world of data science. The morning will finish off with a live stream of the much-anticipated keynote address from Daphne Koller at the Stanford WiDS conference: “Machine learning: a new approach to drug discovery” The afternoon will feature a hands-on workshop, an in-depth interview with our featured speaker Briana Brownell, and a student showcase where students will discuss their research in a lightning talk-style format. The Stanford WiDS conference will also be live streamed in the room adjacent to the main conference room. Register For The Event
Coconut Software Selected for the 2020 Women in Tech Silicon Valley Program
Katherine Regnier was selected as one of twelve women-led Canadian companies to attend the start-up growth program The Canadian Consulate in Palo Alto has partnered with BDC Capital’s Women in Technology Venture Fund to host the 2020 Women in Tech Silicon Valley Program. The program runs from February 25-27, 2020 and is tailor-made to help promising Canadian women-led companies accelerate growth. Katherine Regnier, Founder & CEO of Coconut Software, a customer engagement platform that aims to create valuable experiences that go beyond the meeting, has been selected to take part in this program. “For tech companies with global ambitions, Silicon Valley is a fantastic location to make connections and seize market opportunities,” said Rana Sarkar, Consul General of Canada in San Francisco. “Our goal is to bring women-led companies to San Francisco and Silicon Valley for an intensive three-day program that helps propel their growth and expand their network.” The mandate for this program is to support and grow great women tech leaders, who have proven business traction in their respective industry. Introducing the Selections for the 2020 Women in Tech Silicon Valley Program Coconut SoftwareconversationHEALTHKiiteMetaOptima Technology Inc.Moore & Gasperecz Global IncODAIA IntelligencePlumProcedureFlowSalonScale TechnologySamplerThe Upside Zii Technologies Click here to learn more. About the Trade Commissioner Service As part of Global Affairs Canada, the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) helps Canadian companies and organizations succeed globally. With trade offices across Canada and in 161 offices around the world, the TCS can provide Canadian businesses with on-the-ground intelligence, qualified contacts, partnership opportunities, and practical advice on foreign markets to help them make better, more timely and cost-effective decisions in order to achieve their goals abroad. About BDC Capital BDC Capital is the investment arm of BDC—Canada’s only bank devoted exclusively to centerpreneurs. With $3 billion under management, BDC Capital serves as a strategic partner to the country’s most innovative firms. It offers a full spectrum of risk capital, from seed investments to transition capital, supporting Canadian centerpreneurs who wish to scale their businesses into global champions. About Coconut Software Coconut Software is a leading provider of customer engagement solutions for modern banks and credit unions and is backed by investments from Bay Partners, Conexus Venture Capital Fund, PIC Investment Group, SaskWorks Venture Fund, Information Venture Partners, and ScaleUP Ventures, with additional financing by CIBC. By providing technology that elevates the customer experience while improving operational efficiencies, Coconut’s solutions consistently increase satisfaction scores, decrease churn, and strengthen acquisition. Discover A Modern Way to Engage Get In Touch
How to Attract and Retain Millennial Customers in 2020
As the first generation to be raised with the absolute ease of technology – the norm of face-to-face interactions for banks and credit unions has shifted. Because of this, banks and credit unions face a difficult challenge; how do you attract and retain millennial customers who want to minimize interaction, and crave an enhanced digital experience. For those up to meeting this challenge – it could signify their greatest opportunity for growth. Over the next 10 years, 75% of customers seeking wealth management and personal financial services will be millennials. This is a concerning statistic for many finserv organizations since the millennial customer shows a number of differences in the way they prefer to interact with organizations compared to older generations. We will discuss the differences in how to communicate with a millennial customer and how an appointment management solution can help attract the up and coming generation and reduce churn. How can Coconut Software upgrade your institution’s digital presence and capabilities? Download the Ultimate Guide to Digitally Transforming the Appointment Experience today. Attract and Retain Millennial Customers – The Challenges 1. Millennials Have Higher Customer Service Expectations Millennials have grown up in the midst of the digital transformation and are used to the benefits that come with it. The digital experience has enabled many industries to increase the quality of the services they provide in terms of customer experience, and millennials have become accustomed to premium treatment. Financial Services is one of the oldest industries in the world, and also one of the last to begin the digital transformation. This is causing the millennial customer to seek out businesses that provide them with convenient digital service that they desire. 2. Millennials Prefer to Interact With Brands Digitally Millennials are a digital-centric generation, meaning they rely strongly on technology in their daily life, specifically their smartphones. Millennials expect immediate, online access to their finserv provider, whereas older generations were very comfortable picking up the phone or waiting for their service provider to get back to them. Millennial customers, more than other generation, are asking themselves, “if I can schedule a massage, order groceries and buy flights online, why can’t I book an appointment with my bank?” 3. Millennials Won’t Stay Loyal Just Because You Have a History Millennials are 2 to 3 times more likely to change service providers than any other generation. They are used to a digital experience with enhanced customer service, and they are not worried about leaving a current provider for an organization that meets all of their needs. And soon, those customers will make up the majority of the workforce. In fact, 30% of millennials report they have left their current bank or credit union because they found another finserv organization that provided a better experience. Attract and Retain Millennial Customers – How Appointment Management Solutions Help The increasing demands of the millennial customer are concerning to the legacy structure of the finserv industry, however, there are ways to keep the value of your business interactions while implementing solutions to attract the growing population of millennial customers and reduce churn. An appointment management tool offers multiple solutions to your millennial customer problem. 1. Improve Customer Experience With New Insight Into Customer Behavior When your organization leverages an appointment management solution, you will gain additional insight into the customer’s behavior and history with your organization. When you have an integrated scheduling platform, your customer-facing staff can access all the information collected during the appointment-booking. This will allow them to prepare for their upcoming appointment with the customer, enabling them to provide the enhanced customer experience the millennial customer craves. 2. Give Your Customers What They Want With Real-Time Online Appointment Scheduling With an integrated appointment management solution, you can offer real-time, 24/7 online appointment scheduling. This will allow your customers to schedule in-person interactions with your organization whenever and wherever they want, minimizing human interactions with your organization, which the millennial customer loves to avoid. Additionally, when your customers book appointments online, they will also receive reminders on their smartphones, which the average millennial checks about 43 times a day, reducing the chances of no-show appointments. 3. Keep Customers Loyal With Direct Feedback With an appointment management solution, your organization can send out automated follow-up emails to customers to gain feedback on the experience they had. People love to be asked their opinion, and asking your customers about their experience with your organization will make them feel valued and earn you major brownie points. We know millennials are less loyal than previous generations, but we also know customers who feel their financial services provider listens to their needs are more likely to remain loyal to that brand. Following-up with millennial customers and asking about the experience they had with your organization makes them feel like their opinion matters. Streamlining the digital experience up to the in-person interaction, while leveraging technology to provide a premium experience, will set your organization apart. Millennials are a completely new type of customer for the FinServ industry, and by leveraging a digital experience, your organization will be able to provide the services the millennial customer desires in order to attract new business and reduce churn. Discover A Modern Way to Engage Get In Touch What Next? Ready to learn more about upgrading your institution’s digital presence and capabilities? Download our Ultimate Guide to Digitally Transforming the Appointment Experience today. Looking to boost revenue and deliver a premium experience to your clients? Schedule a consultation with Coconut Software to learn more about how our appointment scheduling solutions can get you there.
Coconut Named as One of Betakit’s Canadian Tech Companies To Watch
Coconut Software is proud to be listed as one of Betakit’s top 11 Canadian tech companies to watch out for in 2020. Check out the full article here. Coconut has been listed alongside: Klue Klue provides a lens into a competitor’s world, continuously updating and connecting dots to help users win more business. It’s a new way to capture, manage, and communicate market insights from the web and across the company, in platforms many already use. Damon Motorcycles Damon is reinventing personal mobility for 1.5 billion daily commuters. Starting with a blank slate, the company reverse engineered the problems two wheel commuters face and built an experience that’s perpetually safer, smarter, and more rider-friendly. The vision includes a self-learning mobility platform that will usher in a world with no fatal accidents on Damon vehicles by 2030. To achieve that vision, Damon put data-driven thinking at the epicenter of the company, employing radical innovations in sensor fusion, robotics, and AI. Properly Properly aims to quash issues typically associated with a home sale, like untimely house showings and expensive repairs. The platform uses machine learning to help homeowners determine what their home would sell for on the open market, with the option to sell directly to Properly and close quickly. The company offers its users a price match guarantee, meaning if the home sells for more than Properly’s offer, 50 percent of the difference is refunded to the customer. Cmd Cmd allows organizations to proactively secure their Linux environment like never before. The company provides unprecedented real-time visibility into user actions, customizable controls, and the ability to stop commands pre-execution without the need for human intervention. Cmd’s aims to allow its customers to get ahead of potential breaches and block malicious attackers without blocking business. Flybits Flybits provides users with real-time information about what their audience is doing on mobile devices and allows businesses to respond accordingly. The platform uses customer data from proprietary and public sources, as well as device sensors. Flybits then combines this with contextual data, like risk profiles, as well as machine learning, allowing enterprises to drop content to the right user at the optimal time. Unbounce Unbounce started in 2009 when landing pages were little more than a buzzword. The company’s CEO, Rick Perreault, frustrated waiting on developers for every new campaign, set out to create a better experience for marketers. Perreault joined forces with Carter Gilchrist, Oli Gardner, Carl Schmidt, Justin Stacey, and Jason Murphy to bootstrap Unbounce out of a dark, 500-square-foot room in Gastown, Vancouver. As one of Canada’s fastest-growing tech companies with offices in both Vancouver and Berlin, Unbounce has powered over 650,000,000 conversions to date and serves more than 15,000 customers worldwide. 1Password 1password is dedicated to storing passwords securely, allowing users to log into myriad online services with a single click. The platform can also be used to store other private documents, such as software licenses, credit cards, and driver’s licenses. With personal security and cyber risk increasingly on the minds of consumers and businesses alike, the company is well positioned to address major societal concerns. Aspect Biosystems Aspect Biosystems is a Vancouver-based biotech startup, founded in 2013, that has developed what it calls pioneering technology that does 3D bioprinting of living, human tissue. The startup claims that its technology enables advances in the understanding of fundamental biology, disease research, regenerative medicine, and the development of novel therapeutics. Korbit AI Korbit AI is building the future of education; powered by machine learning, intelligent tutors which teach students through interactive exercises and conversations. The company’s mission is to bring a transformation to the world of education by providing a high quality, interactive, and personalized education for students at low cost, anytime and anywhere. Through their studies with Korbit, students will obtain trusted certification to improve their socio-economic status. More About Coconut Software Coconut Software is a leading provider of customer engagement solutions for modern banks and credit unions including: Vancity, United Federal Credit Union, Servus Credit Union, and Royal Bank of Canada, and is backed by investments from CIBC, Information Venture Partners, Bay Partners and ScaleUp Ventures. By providing technology that elevates the customer experience while improving operational efficiencies, Coconut’s solutions consistently increase satisfaction scores, decrease churn, and strengthen acquisition. Discover A Modern Way to Engage Get In Touch
Katherine Regnier Speaks During the Women of Influence Breakfast Presentation
Event: Women of Influence Breakfast PresentationLocation: Prairieland Park, Hall A503 Ruth St W, Saskatoon, SK S7J 0S6Date: November 5, 2019 Coconut Software’s Founder & CEO, Katherine Regnier is set to speak during the Women of Influence Breakfast Presentation, hosted by the Edwards School of Business. Katherine will be joined by the CEO of Wanuskewin Heritage Park, Darlene Brander, and President and CEO of Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation, Brynn Boback-Lane. The Women of Influence Breakfast was first organized in 2002 by Edwards School of Business in partnership with University of Saskatchewan, Extension Division. Initially a small scale presentation with 80-100 attendees, this event has grown to attract audiences of over 400 who come together to celebrate three accomplished women as they speak about their leadership roles and how they achieved success in their respective fields. A portion of the proceeds from this event go towards the Women of Influence Scholarship Award that was established to support the dreams of students wishing to pursue an education in the business field. Learn more here. The Women of Influence Breakfast Presentation Panel Darlene Brander CEO of Wanuskewin Heritage Park Darlene Brander oversees all operations at Wanuskewin Heritage Park, an internationally acclaimed northern plains Indigenous interpretive site that is home to more than 6,400 years of history. A Band Member of the Red Earth Cree First Nation, Darlene holds a Bachelor of Education Degree from the University of Saskatchewan as well as a Chartered Professional in Human Resources designation. An active community member, Ms. Brander sits on the following boards, Chair of the Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners and the Canadian Association of Police Governance. She is a past Director for the Saskatoon Aboriginal Professional Association and the Nutrien Wonderhub. Katherine Regnier Founder and CEO of Coconut Software In 2011, Katherine Regnier quit her job at 3-months pregnant to solely focus on Coconut. In late 2016, after 5 years of bootstrapping the company to over a million dollars in sales, everything changed. Katherine has successfully raised $4.9M and has grown her team to over a staff of 50. Katherine is a founding board member of Co.Labs, Saskatchewan’s first technology incubator and hosted the very first Prairie Investment Forum (PIF), which was a celebration of technology and investment in the Prairies. Brynn Boback-Lane President and CEO of Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation Brynn Boback-Lane leads a provincial team in advocating and fundraising for the new provincial children’s hospital project with focused expertise in governance, marketing, public relations, and philanthropy. Brynn attended the University of Saskatchewan and received her Chartered Director (C. Dir.) designation from McMaster University. Brynn currently sits as a member of the Canadian Association of Pediatric Hospitals of Canada, Canadian Advisory Committee for Children’s Miracle Network, Canadian Children’s Hospital Foundation Executives, and is a member of the Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) Board of Directors. Discover A Modern Way to Engage Get in Touch
Finn AI Partners with Coconut Software to Help Banks Increase Interactions with New Customers
Finn AI, partnered with Coconut Software, to enable banks with the ability to schedule a meeting using a multi-turn conversational model.
Highlighting the Meteoric Rise of the Silicon Prairie
Coconut was recently featured in the Saskatoon StarPhoenix alongside leaders in the prairie tech space to discuss the rise of the Silicon Prairie.
United Federal Credit Union Adds Online Appointment Scheduling with Coconut Software
Learn more about how Coconut Software transformed United Federal Credit Unions member experience through digital transformation.
Katherine Regnier Invited to Inspire Students at the University of Washington
Coconut Software Founder & CEO Katherine Regnier to share insights on building a tech startup from scratch at the University of Washington, May 8, 2019.
Katherine Regnier & Coconut Investors at Uniting the Prairies
Join Katherine Regnier and the Coconut Software Investors as they share their expertise at the Uniting the Prairies Conference.
CIBC Innovation Banking Provides Coconut Software With Growth Capital Financing
TORONTO, April 23, 2019 – CIBC Innovation Banking is pleased to announce $1.75 million in debt financing with Coconut Software. The Company will use the financing to support its strategic plan and to invest in its growth. Coconut Software is a cloud-based SaaS appointment scheduling and lobby management solution that is modernizing how banks and credit unions engage with their clients. Founded in 2007, Coconut Software is headquartered in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan with an office in Toronto. The Company is backed by Information Venture Partners, ScaleUp Ventures, StandUp Ventures and Neal Dempsey of Bay Partners. Coconut focuses mainly in the financial services industry where high volume, multiple time zones, locations, staff availability and service offerings require a solution with unparalleled levels of security and compliance, and is on-demand and easy to use. By ensuring that the right staff member is available at the right time and place, Coconut’s solution enables banks and credit unions to drive more branch sales and increase customer loyalty while providing a streamlined and personalized experience. “CIBC Innovation Banking is excited to partner with a top tier management team that has built a scalable platform that allows clients to personalize relationships with their customers by transforming how they manage appointments. Coconut’s solutions are disrupting the industry standard,” said Rob Rosen, Managing Director, CIBC Innovation Banking. “CIBC is well-established as the leader in funding SaaS companies in Canada, and we’re happy that they will be there to help fund Coconut’s future growth,” said Katherine Regnier, Coconut’s CEO and founder. About CIBC Innovation BankingWith offices in Denver, Menlo Park, Montreal, Reston, Toronto and Vancouver, CIBC Innovation Banking delivers strategic advice, cash management and funding to North American innovation companies at each stage of their business cycle, from start up to IPO and beyond. The team has extensive experience and a strong, collaborative approach that extends across CIBC’s commercial banking and capital markets businesses in Canada and the U.S. About Coconut SoftwareCoconut Software is modernizing how banks and credit unions engage, because everyone’s time is money. With a centralized, service engagement platform, financial organizations can optimize their workforce with real-time insights into sales and support interactions, while providing an effortless customer experience across all touchpoints, whether online, in-branch, or through the contact center. The Company has been revolutionizing appointment scheduling since its launch in 2007. Looking to boost revenue and deliver a premium experience to your clients? Schedule a consultation with Coconut Software to learn more about how our appointment scheduling solutions can get you there.
Join Coconut Software at the Cornerstone Annual Meeting
Join us at the 2019 Cornerstone Annual Meeting & Expo to learn about how our appointment management solutions can streamline your customers experience.