About Us
We’re hacking the Wealth Gap by empowering community organizations with innovative solutions for financial inclusion in underserved communities.
Meet the Team
Together, our team brings nearly a century of combined experience, uniquely positioned to address the needs of underserved communities.
Bill has an extensive software development background, focusing on large banks and financial exchanges. His leadership and technical skills drive our product development and innovation.
Demetra most recently managed Northwestern University's Technology Transfer Accounting. She brings deep expertise in strategic business operations and financial management.
Muzi is a software engineer pursuing a PhD in Economics. He brings his expertise in social dynamics for economic growth, finance, and regulatory compliance, strengthening our ability to navigate complex financial landscapes.
Founder Story:
Our journey began with a vision to create financial empowerment for communities like Englewood and Roseland, where we grew up witnessing the decline of community banks and the rise of predatory financial services. These changes left our neighborhoods vulnerable, and we knew we needed to take action to restore economic stability and hope.
With a collective background in accounting, software development, and business operations, we understood how financial systems were structured—and how they often kept marginalized populations from progressing. We saw an opportunity to use our expertise to build a fairer system, one that empowers people to support their families and grow.
We’re committed to restoring economic equity and empowering our community to build a prosperous future. For us, Econofi is a way to give back and make a lasting impact in the neighborhoods that shaped us.
Why Econofi?
Big banks have the resources to innovate, but they often leave communities behind. Local institutions—churches, schools, community banks—remain vital anchors, yet they lack the tools to compete in today’s digital-first economy.
At the same time, millions of Americans remain unbanked or underbanked, forced to rely on predatory alternatives like payday lenders and check-cashing outlets. These individuals, who spend billions in fees to access their own money, deserve better options—options rooted in trust, access, and opportunity.
Econofi bridges this gap.
We transform trusted local institutions into modern financial service providers, equipped to serve their communities with:
- Innovative technology that levels the playing field with big banks.
- AI-powered tools that connect underserved individuals to personalized financial solutions.
Econofi’s platforms—BankBox™ and BotBox-Connect™—empower institutions to lead, communities to thrive, and individuals to access the financial opportunities they deserve.
What Sets Us Apart?
Bill, our technical co-founder, didn’t just conceive the idea behind Econofi—he wove firsthand experiences and those of our community directly into the code. This human-centered responsiveness ensures that our solutions aren’t just innovative but grounded in the lived realities of the people we serve. We learn directly from them, using their unique needs to drive product innovations that genuinely promote financial inclusion—delivering what larger competitors often overlook.
Mission
Your zip code shouldn’t determine your financial future. Yet, in too many communities, access to modern financial services is limited, holding people back from building the life they deserve. We believe that trusted local institutions—whether community banks, churches, or schools—can drive meaningful change.
That’s where Econofi comes in. Our mission is to empower local institutions with cutting-edge technology, including fraud prevention and AI-driven tools, to safely serve unbanked and underbanked individuals and meet the financial needs of their communities.
By closing the financial inclusion gap, we’re reimagining what’s possible for local economies, building a foundation for growth and resilience where there was once exclusion.
Vision
Financial equity shouldn’t be a far-off dream—it should be the standard. For too long, underserved communities have been left behind, trapped by financial barriers that make it harder for families to break cycles of poverty, build lasting financial independence, and access the tools they need to thrive.
By partnering with local institutions and community banks, Econofi removes these barriers, repairing historical inequities in the financial system. With innovative platforms like BankBox™ and BotBox-Connect™, we’re ensuring every community has the resources to succeed.
This isn’t an unrealistic ideal; it’s an achievable reality. With technology that expands financial access, institutions can empower individuals to thrive today—laying a solid foundation for future generations.
Values
- Equity: Everyone deserves access to financial services that are fair, affordable, and modern—no matter their zip code or background.
- Empowerment: We believe that financial empowerment creates lasting, positive change in communities.
- Excellence: We provide world-class financial tools for underserved communities, ensuring that local economies thrive and people can access the financial services they deserve.