Prismm startup aims to help banks retain inherited assets

Underwood and Sylla, who have extensive experience in banking and finance, were inspired to create Prismm after witnessing firsthand the difficulties families face in managing financial affairs during emergencies. Their father's hospitalization in 2017 highlighted the lack of accessible financial information, and Underwood later observed during the COVID-19 pandemic how families struggled to locate accounts and understand bills after a loved one died.

Prismm's approach focuses on digitizing the inheritance process. Account holders can grant designated family members access to their accounts and documents in advance. Upon the account holder's death, these designated individuals can digitally access assets and documents, facilitating eligible beneficiary transfers remotely. The company emphasizes that this infrastructure is built directly into bank cores to minimize friction for users.

Prismm offers two main products: Prismm Designate, which simplifies the process for customers and banks to update beneficiaries, and Prismm Anchor, a secure platform for account holders to track assets and documents across multiple institutions, managed through their financial institutions. A third product, Prismm Continuity, is planned to guide staff and families through the transfer process step-by-step, aiming to keep the burden on the institution rather than the family.

The company is presenting its mission at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026.