2025 revenue: $97.00 mn
Growth rate: 73.21%
Headquarters: Chicago, IL
2025 revenue: $174.50 mn
Growth rate: 199.88%
Headquarters: Englewood, CO
2025 revenue: $43.01 mn
Growth rate: 331.83%
Headquarters: Irvine, CA
2025 revenue: $3,517.60 mn
Growth rate: 94.90%
Headquarters: Chicago, IL
Ignition is a client engagement and commerce platform for professional services businesses to streamline how they engage clients and get paid. Businesses such as accounting and bookkeeping firms use Ignition to help them grow, be more efficient, and create win-win client relationships. With Ignition, you can easily win new business with impressive digital proposals, engage new and existing clients with a clear scope of work, and get paid on time by automating payment collection – all in one place. Ignition also connects with leading apps to run your business on autopilot and automate time-consuming tasks, such as client onboarding or invoicing. That means less admin, and more time winning and retaining clients.
To learn more about the Ignition platform, visit https://www.ignitionapp.com
Alana Smart, CPA, is a Senior Associate in Assurance Services with six years of experience in public accounting, primarily serving nonprofit organizations. She began her career in tax before transitioning to audit, giving her a well-rounded perspective on the profession and the clients she serves. In her role, she partners closely with engagement leaders on planning, testing, and client communication, while also mentoring and training staff and helping drive engagements forward efficiently.
Based in San Diego and working with Aprio’s West Coast practice, Alana is passionate about education, professional growth, and building meaningful relationships. She believes the future of accounting depends not only on technical excellence, but on firms creating environments where young professionals feel supported, challenged, and genuinely connected to their teams and clients.
Known for her strong organizational skills, analytical mindset, and natural ability to connect with people, Alana thrives at the intersection of structure and strategy. Her CliftonStrengths are Individualization, Woo, Analytical, Strategic, and Futuristic, which reflect her blend of curiosity, forward thinking, and people-centered leadership.
A graduate of California Polytechnic State University with a B.S. in Business Administration (Accounting), Alana has been recognized as Aprio’s Employee of the Month and remains deeply committed to continuous learning. Outside of work, she loves traveling, exploring different cultures, and meeting new people – a curiosity that mirrors how she approaches both her clients and the evolving accounting profession.
Michael Green is Senior Director of Research at Arizent, where he leads the development and execution of primary research initiatives across the company’s portfolio of financial and professional services brands, including American Banker, The Bond Buyer, National Mortgage News, Digital Insurance, Financial Planning, Accounting Today and Employee Benefit News.
With more than 25 years of experience in market research and business intelligence, Michael has worked closely with Fortune 1000 organizations to uncover insights on the technologies, consumer behaviors, and market trends shaping business transformation and growth.
A skilled moderator and interviewer, Michael is known for leading thoughtful, insight-driven conversations that connect industry trends and research to real-world business challenges across webinars, executive interviews, conference sessions, and research presentations for senior business audiences. Prior to joining Arizent, he served as Director of Survey Operations at Forrester Research. He holds an MBA from Saint Joseph’s University and a B.S. in Marketing from Thomas Jefferson University.
Neal Schneider is the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer at K1x, a leading fintech company revolutionizing the alternative investments landscape through innovative technology solutions. Before co-founding K1x, Neal served as a Principal at Crowe, where he honed his expertise in technology and financial services. Neal is not only a tech visionary but also enjoys spending time with his family, cheering on his kids at baseball and cheerleading events, and embracing the lake life.
With its patented, AI-powered SaaS automation and collaboration platform, only K1x can digitize and distribute IRS Schedules K-1, K-3, and Form 990 data seamlessly–connecting investors, advisors, tax software, portals, accounting firms, IRS and state taxing authorities without tedious, time-consuming, manual copy-pasting of thousands of data fields.
Kintsugi automates sales tax, VAT, and GST compliance with an AI-powered, end-to-end platform that integrates seamlessly with ERP, billing, HR, and ecommerce systems to calculate taxes across borders, monitor exposure (free), register with jurisdictions, and automate filing and remittance. With transparent pricing, easy integrations, and 24/7 white-glove support, Kintsugi removes complexity so companies can protect margins and scale with confidence.