Microsoft, Kansas City Chiefs, OpenAI and More Join Vena Excelerate Summit 2023

Learn how to build the agility and resilience you need to plan for anything

Vena is getting ready to host Excelerate Summit 2023, our fourth annual global virtual conference for finance and operations professionals, business leaders and budget owners. Taking place May 9–10, the virtual live and on-demand conference experience features 30+ speakers, inspiring keynotes and sessions and 20+ hours of CPE/CPD live discussions, workshops and training.

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What’s Different This Year?

Unlike other industry conferences, we’re laser-focused on giving actionable advice finance professionals can use to navigate the current business environment. We’re inviting our community of 5,000+ professionals to come together to learn how to excelerate their planning productivity, agility, resilience and their organization’s financial intelligence so they can plan for anything.

Attendees gave last year’s event 4.4 stars out of 5

Excelerate will offer attendees the opportunity to:

Engage and learn from finance peers, Vena Experts and executives, and finance and business leaders from organizations including Microsoft, Kansas City Chiefs, OpenAI and more
Earn up to 22 CPE/CPD credits through live discussions, workshops and training
Learn Excel and Power BI best practices and access templates for rolling forecasts, what-if analysis, workforce planning and more
Learn how to empower your organization to adapt to current market realities with important strategies, best practices and technological innovations

You can also look forward to insights from Vena keynote speakers, with sessions that have been designed to inspire you to build winning teams, stay ahead of technology innovation and drive growth, resilience and agility within your organizations.

Excelerate Summit’s Exciting Lineup of Speakers

Joining the speaker lineup this year are Austin Wiseman, Finance & Accounting at OpenAI, Nicolas Herman, CFO at Microsoft Canada and Mitch Holthus, Voice of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Other speakers include:

Hunter Madeley, CEO, Vena
Melissa Howatson, CFO, Vena
Purna Duggirala, Chief Excel Officer, Chandoo.org and Microsoft MVP
Howard Dresner, Chief Research Officer, Dresner Advisory Services, LLC
Speakers from 6Sense, BetMGM, Citrin Cooperman Advisors LLP, Fluence Technologies and more

Feedback that makes us blush a little 😊

Attendees can earn free CPE/CPD credits through live conversations, interactive workshops, product demonstrations and training presented by Vena Academy.

Sessions and panels will cover:

Strategies for high-functioning finance teams
The new tech empowering finance-led innovation
Practical applications of AI and automation in FP&A
Latest trends in FP&A, AI, extended planning and performance management
Managing cash flow in complex business conditions
Agile revenue forecasting
Unlocking opportunities with finance systems and operations
The Vena Product Roadmap
Introduction to Vena Complete Planning and Insights
Best practices for workforce planning, cash flow management, Microsoft Excel and more

Excelerate’s jam-packed agenda includes multiple opportunities to learn, connect and grow with Vena Experts and Partners, Microsoft leaders and technology enthusiasts who will all be on hand to help you plan for anything—all while virtually networking in a global community of professionals.

More feedback that makes us blush a little 😊

Save your free seat for Excelerate Summit 2023 today.

For the latest Excelerate Summit 2023 news, follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @venasolutions.

Customers Share Their Experience in G2’s Summer 2024 Report, Earning Vena 20 Badges Across Multiple Categories

G2 categories recognizing Vena include Corporate Performance Management (CPM) Software, Budgeting and Forecasting Software, Financial Close Software, Sales Performance Management Software and more Toronto, ON – July 18, 2024 – Vena, the only Complete Planning platform purpose-built to amplify the power of Microsoft 365, announced its achievements in the latest G2 Summer 2024 Report, a quarterly market report that breaks down the latest trends in B2B software based on authentic user reviews and G2 research expertise. Vena has received 20 badges across various categories, highlighting the company's dedication to providing finance and operations professionals with a comprehensive CMP platform natively integrated with Microsoft 365. In recent reviews, customers praise Vena for its "versatility of implementation," "user-friendly integration with existing Excel models," and its ability to "simplify processes and improve efficiency," especially in financial reporting and analysis. The opinions of customers emphasize Vena’s strong performance and customer-centric approach, providing users with a robust suite of products and services. Vena’s key achievements include: #1 Mid-Market Grid® Report for Financial Analysis #1 Mid-Market Grid® Report for Budgeting and Forecasting #1 Grid® Report for Financial Analysis #2 Enterprise Usability Index for Compensation Management #2 Grid® Report for Budgeting and Forecasting #3 Relationship Index for Sales Planning #3 Grid® Report for Sales Planning "We are immensely proud to be recognized with these badges in the G2 Summer report," said Hunter Madeley, CEO at Vena. "These rankings are more than just numbers to us; they reflect our customers' trust in us. Our team’s dedication to creating a user-friendly, flexible and intuitive Complete Planning Platform continues to drive our success and the success of our customers." In addition to the G2 Summer 2024 Report achievements, other recent Vena recognitions include: Top Leader in the 2024 Business Application Research Center (BARC) Planning Survey Top Rated by TrustRadius in 2024 Leader by G2 Mid-Market Leader by IDC MarketScape Challenger in The Hackett Group EPM Digital World Class Matrix Technology Innovation Honors from Dresner Advisory Services CPM Industry Leader for the 11th straight year by Nucleus Research About Vena Vena is the only Complete Planning platform natively integrated with Microsoft 365. Vena streamlines financial and operational planning, reporting and analysis processes, and provides advanced analytics and modeling capabilities to help business, finance and operations leaders make agile and more informed business decisions. With Vena, you can leverage the power of Excel and AI-powered insights in a unified, cloud-based platform that enhances productivity, collaboration and insights. Over 1,800 of the world’s leading companies rely on Vena to power their planning. For more information, visit venasolutions.com. Media Contact: Jonathan Paul Vice President, Content Marketing jpaul@venacorp.com

July 18, 2024 |

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Vena Achieves Elite Centaur Status Crossing $100M USD in Annual Recurring Revenue

Vena’s growing and passionate customer base sets the stage for continued value creation and market leadership Toronto, ON – July 11, 2024 – Vena, the only Complete Planning platform purpose-built to amplify the power of Microsoft 365, announced it has surpassed $100 million USD in annual recurring revenue (ARR). This accomplishment earns Vena the prestigious status of Centaur, first introduced by Bessemer Venture Partners to recognize privately held SaaS companies that have reached $100 million USD in ARR. According to Bessemer's 2023 State of the Cloud report, Centaurs are an "elite subset" of unicorns, signifying exceptional product-market fit, a scalable go-to-market strategy and a loyal customer base. Compared to the over 1,000 private companies ever valued at $1 billion or more, achieving Centaur status is seven times rarer, reflecting Vena's strong business maturity and market validation. “Achieving this designation represents an exciting milestone on the amazing journey we’re enjoying with our customers and partners as we transform the office of finance and empower FP&A teams everywhere. From our founding days, we’ve believed that the most impactful organizations in the world have always been those that best leverage the power of data and their people in pursuit of a clear and meaningful mission. Our platform makes that possible and we are so grateful to have played our part in the success our customers realize every day,” said Hunter Madeley, CEO at Vena. “This achievement reflects the deep and abiding commitment of our employees as we build a culture and company focused on helping our customers plan to grow. We still have so much more to do, but it’s nice to take a beat and celebrate this latest milestone together.” Vena continues to prioritize the success of its customers and understands the challenges faced by modern FP&A teams balancing the need for operational excellence with the responsibility to deliver critical insights and strategic support across the organization. The recent release of Vena CoPilot for FP&A means finance and operations teams are better positioned than ever to support and guide their organizations. Over the past year, Vena has achieved several distinguished milestones that have set the stage for continued growth and customer value, including: Growing and Engaged Community: Curating leading voices in finance and business leadership for The CFO Show, an industry-leading podcast hosted by Vena CFO Melissa Howatson to elevate the conversation for C-suite executives and aspiring finance and business leaders. Additionally, the company expanded Vena Academy, offering free CPE/CPD online courses in technical and non-technical training in Microsoft 365+, FP&A mastery and Vena Complete Planning. In this last year alone, 5,419+ credits were issued through Vena Academy and the Vena Customer Training Team. The company also brought together over 300 finance and operational professionals at this year’s Excelerate Finance 2024. Customer and Analyst Recognition: Being named a Top Leader in the 2024 Business Application Research Center (BARC) Planning Survey, Top Rated by TrustRadius in 2024, a Leader by G2 and a Mid-Market Leader by IDC MarketScape. Vena has also been identified as a Challenger in The Hackett Group EPM Digital World Class Matrix and has received Technology Innovation Honors from Dresner Advisory Services. Additionally, Vena has been recognized as the CPM Industry Leader for the 11th straight year by Nucleus Research. One of the outcomes of steadfastly focusing on creating value for its customers is that Vena has benefited from strong, predictable growth, which in turn, has allowed the company to meaningfully invest in its platform and community to support its growing customer base. “This chart tracking our Annual Recurring Revenue base by quarter is one of our favorites because it keeps us grounded in doing right by our customers and by our culture every day," said Madeley. “This significant milestone highlights the power of our platform and the scalability and adaptability of our solutions,” added Hugh Cumming, Chief Technology Officer at Vena. “It’s a testament to our team’s dedication to delivering user-friendly, reliable solutions that truly meet the evolving needs of our customers. This milestone paves the way for even more innovative advancements as we continue to empower finance professionals worldwide.” For more information about Vena and its journey to Centaur status, please visit www.venasolutions.com. About Vena Vena is the only Complete Planning platform natively integrated with Microsoft 365. Vena streamlines financial and operational planning, reporting and analysis processes, and provides advanced analytics and modeling capabilities to help business, finance and operations leaders make agile and more informed business decisions. With Vena, you can leverage the power of Excel and AI-powered insights in a unified, cloud-based platform that enhances productivity, collaboration and insights. Over 1,800 of the world’s leading companies rely on Vena to power their planning. For more information, visit venasolutions.com. Media Contact: Jonathan Paul Vice President, Content Marketing jpaul@venacorp.com

July 11, 2024 |

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Vena Named Top Leader in 2024 BARC Planning Survey

Recognized in 34 categories and achieved 17 top ranks, highlighting industry-leading innovation and efficiency in project length, product satisfaction and customer satisfaction for FP&A teams Toronto, June 25, 2024 – Vena, the Complete Planning platform loved by finance and trusted by business, has achieved outstanding recognition in the annual Planning Survey conducted by the Business Application Research Center (BARC). Vena was named a leader in 34 categories and received 17 top ranks, highlighting the company’s leadership and excellence in the planning, budgeting and forecasting software industry. Vena was evaluated across a range of key performance indicators (KPIs), including Project Length, Price to Value, Product Satisfaction, Customer Satisfaction and Workflow. The results illustrate Vena’s strengths extending beyond product capabilities, into project efficiency, business value, exceptional support and innovation, providing unparalleled benefits to its customers. Highlights from the report include: Project Length: Vena outperformed its peers with an impressive 52% of projects completed in under three months, showcasing its capability to swiftly deploy solutions and deliver immediate value to organizations. Product Satisfaction: Vena secured the number one rank in product satisfaction, with 100% of surveyed users expressing their satisfaction with the platform. The flexibility and familiarity of Vena’s tools contribute significantly to this high satisfaction rate, demonstrating the company’s commitment to user-centric design and functionality. Customer Satisfaction: Vena’s tools also earned a top rank for customer satisfaction. Users appreciate the seamless integration with familiar tools like Excel, which enhances usability and efficiency. Price to Value: Vena delivers exceptional value for money, with 90% of surveyed users rating its pricing as excellent or good. This underscores Vena’s dedication to offering cost-effective solutions that provide significant value, making it a compelling option for organizations looking to enhance their financial planning capabilities affordably and effectively. “This prestigious recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team at Vena and it reflects our ongoing commitment to providing our customers with the best possible product and support,” said Hugh Cumming, Chief Technology Officer at Vena. “We are especially proud of our top ranks in project length and customer satisfaction as they highlight our ability to deliver fast, effective solutions that truly meet our customers' needs. Our relentless focus on innovation and efficiency is what drives us forward in the FP&A industry.” “Vena’s excellent rankings in project length, product satisfaction and customer satisfaction highlight the company’s dedication to excellence and customer success,” said Dr. Christian Fuchs, Senior Analyst Data & Analytics at BARC. “The positive customer feedback in our survey proves Vena's ability to implement projects quickly and effectively while ensuring a high level of satisfaction.” The Planning Survey 24 validates Vena’s leadership in the FP&A industry, showcasing its ability to deliver high customer satisfaction and exceptional project efficiency. This recognition adds to Vena’s accolades, including: Being named an IDC Mid-Market Leader Receiving the Hackett Group EPM Digital World Class Matrix Award Winning the Dresner Technology Innovation Award for Financial Consolidation, Close Management, and Financial Reporting Recognized by Nucleus Research as a CPM Industry Leader for the 11th consecutive year The Planning Survey 24 is based on the world’s largest survey of planning software users conducted from November 2023 to February 2024, with 1,272 respondents and analysis of 21 products. It evaluates user feedback on 33 criteria (KPIs), such as Business Benefits, Project Success and Customer Satisfaction. To download a copy of the report, visit here. About Vena Vena is the only Complete Planning platform natively integrated with Microsoft 365. Vena streamlines financial and operational planning, reporting and analysis processes, and provides advanced analytics and modeling capabilities to help business, finance and operations leaders make agile and more informed business decisions. With Vena, you can leverage the power of Excel and AI-powered insights in a unified, cloud-based platform that enhances productivity, collaboration and insights. Over 1,800 of the world’s leading companies rely on Vena to power their planning. For more information, visit venasolutions.com. Media Contact  Jonathan Paul  Vice President, Content Marketing  jpaul@venacorp.com

June 25, 2024 |

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Microsoft, Kansas City Chiefs, OpenAI and More Join Vena Excelerate Summit 2023

What’s Different This Year?

Excelerate Summit’s Exciting Lineup of Speakers

Recommended

Customers Share Their Experience in G2’s Summer 2024 Report, Earning Vena 20 Badges Across Multiple Categories

Vena Achieves Elite Centaur Status Crossing $100M USD in Annual Recurring Revenue

Vena Named Top Leader in 2024 BARC Planning Survey