Meet Prismm, a startup that assists banks in retaining families' money in-house after an account holder passes away. By integrating beneficiary and estate planning into accounts from the outset, Prismm simplifies the transfer of assets to heirs.
Background
Prismm is presenting its mission today on the Startup Battlefield stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. Founded in 2020 by sisters Martha Underwood and Shella Sylla, both of whom have extensive experience in banking and finance, the idea for Prismm emerged from their personal experiences. In 2017, their father was hospitalized after an accident while helping a neighbor post-Hurricane Irma in Miami. Their mother, who relied on him for financial management, struggled to locate important documents and financial information during this crisis.
The Inspiration
Although their father recovered, the experience highlighted the challenges families face in managing affairs during emergencies. The concept for Prismm solidified three years later when Underwood observed families struggling to navigate financial matters after losing a loved one while working at a bank during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“"That’s when it hit us that this is an infrastructure problem... we’ve created all of these platforms for wealth growth and tracking, but almost nothing for transition," Underwood stated in an interview with TechCrunch.
How Prismm Works
With Prismm, account holders can grant designated family members access to their accounts and documents in advance. Upon the account holder's death, the designated individual can log in to view assets and documents in one location and initiate beneficiary transfers digitally. This process is streamlined as identity, consent, and supporting documents are already on file, allowing for remote completion even if family members reside in different states.
