We get it.
And you get it too. You understand that managing data better can mean the difference between closing and losing a deal, that sharing information across your entire organization turns your exceptional people into an exceptional team, and that the right technology can help you outperform your competitors.
At App-X, not only do we understand technology, but we understand your business and specifically where technology and fund management intersect. Add in the experience we've gained implementing and supporting software for hundreds of organizations that also get it. The result is continually-evolving, custom-tailored software that separates those who get it from those who don't.
About App-X
Since 2006, Application Experts (App-X) has worked with a wide variety of leading organizations in the Alternative Asset community including fund managers, funds of funds, institutional investors, and impact investors. Subsequently, we have developed a unique, holistic perspective on the Alternative Asset industry. The result is a continually-evolving and feature-rich set of products that are flexible enough to handle a wide variety of investing scenarios.
App-X and TechStars
In 2008, App-X participated in TechStars, a startup incubator based in Boulder, Colorado. Led by the mentorship of the founders of such companies as Tumblr, whitepages.com, and foursquare, the TechStars program helped App-X solidify the initial build-out of the AIM product and refine a go-to-market strategy.
PULSE
In 2009, App-X won the bid to develop and take to market PULSE, a cloud-based social impact tracking system developed by Acumen Fund with help from Google, Rockefeller Foundation, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Deloitte, among others. Today, App-X implements and supports PULSE for various members of the impact community including non-profits, foundations, and corporate sustainability and responsibility managers.
B Corp
In 2011, App-X was awarded certified B Corporation status, joining B Corp companies around the world in a commitment to solve social and environmental problems through the power of business. B Corps differ from traditional businesses in that they meet comprehensive and transparent social and environmental performance standards, meet higher legal accountability standards, and build business constituency for good business.
Our Commitment
- We believe in using sustainable practices that benefit the environment
- We believe our work should have a positive impact on our community
- We believe that treating our people well makes us a better company
...and we encourage our suppliers to do the same.
Among the ways that we demonstrate our commitment to our employees and our community include:
- Adopting an extensive recycling program at our headquarters that reduces our waste to near-zero levels
- Promoting healthy lifestyles among our employees by providing Yoga classes at work
- Incentivizing our employees to use alternative transportation to and from work
- Encouraging our team to take time to volunteer for non-profits and allowing them time away from work to do so
Kevin Kelly
Kevin Kelly founded App-X in 2006. He brings a unique mix of technical acumen, business development skills, creativity and energy to App-X. He is responsible for leading the company's sales efforts and developing strategic partnerships. Kevin has served in a CTO advisory role to a Chicago-based Buyout Fund of Funds with nearly $1B under management. He has also worked in various technical sales, business development and management roles in small startups and leading technology firms such as Cisco Systems and NEC Unified Solutions. He is actively involved in Colorado's entrepreneurial communities.
In his free time, Kevin enjoys hiking, skiing and fishing the Rocky Mountains with his wife and 3 young children and playing and coaching ice hockey.
Josh Bowes
Josh Bowes works closely with our clients and leads our Product Development.
Beth Busenhart
Beth is a Project Manager at App-X and the Product Manager for PULSE. Beth works with organizations in the Impact Investing Sector that deliver unprecedented social and economic value. She loves working with clients to improve effectiveness and efficiency through innovative technology solutions.
Beth completed her undergraduate work at the University of Michigan and gained valuable online product and operational acumen working for Google in Boulder before completing her MBA in Finance at the University of Denver.
Beth takes full advantage of the Rocky Mountains, hiking and trail running in the summer and skiing in the winter.
Donald Davis
Donald joins the App-X team as the VP of all things sales. He comes to us most recently from Intralinks where he was a Senior Sales Executive based in San Francisco. Before Intralinks, Donald was the Regional Director of Sales for Merrill and also sold technology solutions in Silicon Valley. Donald graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations.
When he's not selling stuff for App-X, Donald enjoys training Muay Thai boxing (no, really!) and as a native of North Carolina, he promises he's going to learn how to ski.
Colin Dixon
Colin performs the duty of Help Desk Support. He graduated from the University of Denver in the summer of 2011 with a degree in Finance, contributing to our knowledge of the financial services industry. Although he chooses to stay in Colorado, Colin is originally from Southern California.
When not at work, Colin enjoys playing and watching hockey with friends. He has an animal lust for In-N-Out Burger and reading business news, with a specifc penchant for news about consumer electronic companies.
Ben Hendershot
Ben Hendershot came to App-X with a background in management and IT consulting. He has worked extensively both domestically and internationally delivering complex solutions to large and small clients. At App-X, Ben is involved in the life-cycle of our product from sales through client implementations.
In his free time, Ben enjoys exploring the Colorado back-country and traveling with his family.
Charlie Kuhn
Charlie drives Business Development in the impact management space. He engages with NPOs, Impact Investors, Foundations, and any other impact-orientated organization to understand their challenges and help develop a process to better demonstrate their impact.
Charlie also heads the Zero Waste initiative at App-X. The initiative includes promoting Meet-Free Monday, the Three R’s (reduce, reuse, recycle), and generally encouraging a greener way of thinking.
Charlie loves the mountains. Climbing and running in the summer and skiing in the winter keep him excited for the changing seasons.
“I believe that there is a subtle magnetism in Nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright.” ~ Henry David Thoreau
Kristen Larson
Kristen joined App-X in 2008 after working as the HR and Operations Manager for a small manufacturing company here in Colorado. She continues to handle HR duties here at App-X as well as managing Finance operations.
Kristen earned an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management and she loves working with the dynamic team at App-X whom she refers to as "a great group of people."
When not at work, Kristen enjoys being with her husband and 3 children and exploring all that Colorado has to offer.
Jill Montera
Jill Montera joined App-X in 2008 with many years of experience working in management consulting and higher education. She has led many large-scale technology implementations for Fortune 500 companies in the telecommunications and energy industries. Jill works on client implementation teams and helps manage internal projects for App-X. In her free time, she volunteers with non-profit organizations to help them utilize Salesforce.com.
Jill sits on the board of the Foundation for Global Scholars and she enjoys spending time in the Colorado outdoors with her husband and 2 sons. Her hobbies include hiking, skiing, and running. She also loves travel and has visited 5 of the 7 continents.
Jeff Vahrenwald
Jeff is in charge of all things marketing here at App-X. He comes to us most recently from Nashville where he was the Marketing Manager for a technology consulting firm, and prior to that he handled marketing for a Dutch software firm based outside of Amsterdam. Before receiving his MBA from the University of Notre Dame, Jeff held dead-end jobs in New York City, Las Vegas, Seattle, Los Angeles, Chicago, Idaho, Italy, and Germany.
When he's not marketing, Jeff enjoys skiing, live music, playing volleyball, and just being back in Colorado in general.
Jason Viado
Jason Viado joined App-X in 2007 and is our amazing App-X all-arounder. He has served many roles at App-X ranging from implementation consultant to developer. Jason currently manages all things post-implementation for each App-X client.
Jason enjoys an active lifestyle with his wife and two dogs. His favorite activities include tennis, volleyball, skiing, travel, and spending time with his family.
Jeff Williams
Jeff joined Application Experts in 2011 and is involved in the life-cycle of our product from sales through client implementations. Prior to joining App-X, Jeff spent nearly 4 years as an Analyst and Associate sourcing and evaluating investment opportunities in venture capital funds and late-stage venture financings in private companies. He was also actively involved in the fundraising process and used AIM extensively to manage both the fundraising and investing processes.
In his free time, Jeff enjoys skiing and playing golf.
Rick Wills
Rick Wills joined the Application Experts team in 2012 as a Support Analyst. Jack of all trades, master of some, Rick comes from a varied background in politics, small business IT, venture finance, non-profit accounting, and has an undergraduate degree in Finance from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Through his varied roles Rick has used his animal lust for database systems to make life easier on organizations and seems to derive twisted pleasure from doing so.
When not at work, Rick can be found at Eldora Ski Resort, on-top of Mt. Sonitas, or in a darkened room tinkering with an Arduino.
