Bags
Category: AI in Fintech
AI-powered financial platform that helps small businesses manage their finances and access capital through automated bookkeeping, CFO-level insights, and connections to 60+ lenders Bags was founded in 2020. The company is led by Daniel Taylor. Based in New York, USA. Team size: 11-50. Total funding raised: $7M. Latest round: Seed Extension. Key investors include ["Ford Foundation (lead)","Partnership Fund for New York City","Zeal Capital Partners","Slauson & Co","Limited Ventures","Blueprint FTC","Connecticut Innovations","Howard Schultz Family Foundation","Swanston Labs"].
- Founded
- 2020
- Headquarters
- New York, USA
- Team size
- 11-50
- Total funding
- $7M
Value proposition
Bags helps businesses grow by improving their chances of securing funding by 4.5X, saving 10 hours per week on financial management, providing 250% average YoY growth, and delivering CFO-level insights through AI-powered analysis
Products and solutions
["AI-powered QuickBooks review and financial insights platform","Monthly bookkeeping and accounting services","CFO reporting and financial analysis","Custom debt strategy development","Funding connections to 60+ pre-qualified lenders","Free financial review service"]
Unique value
Bags is unique in its focus on serving underrepresented entrepreneurs, particularly diverse and women-owned businesses. They turn messy QuickBooks data into growth opportunities using AI, with partnerships with community-focused lenders to provide more accessible and affordable funding options
Target customer
Small businesses, with a focus on diverse and women-owned businesses
Industries served
["Financial Services","Fintech","CPG","Beauty","Real Estate","Food & Beverage"]
Technology advantage
The company leverages AI to analyze financial data and provide actionable CFO-level insights, turning bookkeeping data into growth opportunities. Their business advantage lies in their niche focus on underserved communities, partnerships with mission-driven lenders, and ability to provide 4.5X higher funding success rates
How they differentiate
Bags differentiates itself by focusing on underserved small businesses, particularly those owned by women and minorities. Their AI-powered platform not only connects businesses with a network of community-focused lenders but also provides tools for financial management and loan packaging, turning financial data into growth opportunities. They emphasize a 'culture-first' approach and provide 4.5X higher funding success rates compared to traditional methods
Main competitors
["Fundera (NerdWallet)","Lendio","Accion Opportunity Fund"]
Key partnerships
["TruFund Financial Services","Partnership Fund for New York City","Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs)","Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs)","60+ pre-qualified lenders in their network"]
Notable customers
["TruFund Financial Services","The Plant","Dosso Beauty","The Plug Drink","Jenn Cox Realty","Katherine Workman LLC","Ales Grey","Onewith Swim"]
Major milestones
["Successfully raised $7M in total funding","Secured $2.75M in December 2025 led by Ford Foundation","Established strategic partnership with TruFund Financial Services","Launched free AI-powered financial review service","Plans to launch pilot programs with CDFIs and MDIs in 2026","Connected clients to over $10 billion in available credit"]
Growth metrics
250% average year-over-year growth for client businesses, 4.5X higher likelihood of securing funding, 10 hours saved per week on financial management tasks, financing delivered 5X faster than national average
Market positioning
Bags is positioned as a socially conscious fintech platform in the small business lending market. They target a niche segment of entrepreneurs who are often overlooked by traditional lenders, with a value proposition built on providing access to affordable capital, AI-driven financial guidance, and a supportive ecosystem
Geographic focus
Initially focused on Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, Alabama, and New York, with national expansion plans and remote services available
Patents and IP
Not publicly available
About Daniel Taylor
Co-Founder & CEO at Bags since 2020. Previously Co-Founder of AMP Community, a growth financing marketplace for underrepresented small business owners. Serial entrepreneur focused on fintech and empowering underserved communities.
Official website: https://securebags.com