Ann Arbor debt collection software company sees growth, expands into rental market
HealPay co-founder Erick Bzovi, co-founder and CTO Lancelot Carlson and front-end developer Hakki Tomanbay pose for a photograph in their downtown Ann Arbor office.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
HealPay, an Ann Arbor-based technology company, has grown since its May 2010 launch and co-founder Erick Bzovi said he hopes to continue the upward trajectory as he rolls out some new software.
HealPay, 106 E. Liberty, Suite 302, has continued to expand the development and sales of its software for the debt collection industry and large companies with delinquent accounts. HealPay's Settlement app software allows people to pay off debts through collection agencies online.
In 2011, the company had close to 500,000 debtors signed up through its software. It now has more than 750,000 active accounts and Bzovi expects that number to continue to grow.
"We've definitely grown," Bzovi said. "I think we had a good year. It's been a consistent upward growth and it's been managed growth. Hopefully we can hire more people."
HealPay also has secured more companies that use the settlement app, including the Ann Arbor Credit Bureau.
Ann Arbor Credit Bureau vice president Thomas Oldani said he tries to focus his collectors on their mission of helping people with debt resolve their obligations.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
Bureau CEO Thomas Oldani said Bzovi approached him a while ago, but the initial app didn't work for his company because of some logistical issues.
"Their product has changed a little bit and turned into a product gateway," Oldani said. "It didn’t take very long for us to see that what they created was more in tune with what we were looking for. Every time I talked to the larger players, there were siginificant startup costs and we just couldn’t see the return on the investment."
AnnArbor.com reported in December that Association of Credit and Collection Professionals data show debt turned over to third party collection agencies was only collected at a rate of 17 cents on the dollar until the economic recession began in 2008.
When the recession began, the collection rate dipped to under 10 cents for every dollar of debt passed onto the agencies.
However, Oldani said when the app launched, he saw a "significant increase" in payments.
"It continues to grow and we're really impressed by it," he said. "They gave us an online option that we didn’t previously have in place. When the economy turned south in 2008, one of our focuses was to do business with people that are in this state."
Bzovi said the bureau was the company's first local client.
"You need to start in your backyard," he said. "Ann Arbor created this center point for us to expand."
Next, Bzovi said he plans to target local hospitals, medical billing sites and the west side of the state.
Although the company has found success with its collection software, Bzovi said he and co-founder Lancelot Carlson, decided to create an app for a different industry.
"We just signed up another collection attorney in Cincinnati and we're continuing to grow that outside of Michigan," Bzovi said. "The settlement app is still our flagship, but we didn’t want to just be collections. We've kind of opened ourselves up."
Bzovi has launched another app, the Rent Roll , that allows landlords to collect rent online, which Bzovi said is something many don't offer.
"We’ve actually been successful selling that," he said.
Bzovi said he recently launched the app with a company that owns 300 property units in Sterling Heights. Bzovi said his real goal is to get into the Ann Arbor market.
"What we see is there are so many businesses collecting checks and checks are dying," he said. "There's a huge movement to digitize money and until we can remove checks completely, they’re inefficient and with technology, it's quicker."
The business has four full-time employees and as it continues to expand, Bzovi said he'll consider hiring more. With two universities in Washtenaw County, he said the talent opportunities abound and he believes Ann Arbor is a prime spot to attract tech talent.
"There's more exploration and more creative thought here," Bzovi said. "It felt like a tech hub versus Detroit. The tech field is definitely here."
Katrease Stafford covers Ypsilanti for AnnArbor.com.Reach her at katreasestafford@annarbor.com or 734-623-2548 and follow her on twitter.
Comments
newknuckles
Tue, Apr 2, 2013 : 7:54 p.m.
Good article and great progress guys... some of these boneheads never cease to amaze me with their ridiculous comments leading the readers to perceive you as the bad guys when in fact its the complete opposite. You are creating an easier less intrusive method of allowing people to settle their debts, while the alternative is the intrusive "whatever it takes" method to scare and intimidate those in debt into a corner where they feel like they have no options, when in fact they have several ways to pay their way out of debt to resolve the matter(s) and move forward. I bet each one of these three gentlemen have been in a situation where a debt collector has actually contacted them personally/professionally; and they know first hand from peers what kind of pressure is placed on those in debt from creditors in a traditional collection environment. Keep up the good work... Rent Roll was a great addition. A similar app exists today in the RE market which I've known to be successful from professional peers called PayLease so keep an eye on that one and innovate where they lack in valuable features... I would be happy to put you in touch with PayLease clients to get their feedback and perhaps offer them a new innovative solution.
Jeff Wendel
Fri, Apr 5, 2013 : 1:41 a.m.
amen brother
walker101
Mon, Apr 1, 2013 : 11:58 a.m.
I thought the economy was doing better, guess not, thats why they need these guys to make a better software program to help those sharks to be able to keep track of those delinquent accounts, probably working for the government.
John of Saline
Mon, Apr 1, 2013 : 12:25 a.m.
Not sure why all the criticism for people trying to make it easier to see and pay outstanding debts. People do skip out on debts, and it causes the rest of us, the honest ones, to have to pay more for everything. When I moved to Saline, I got a new phone number (yes, I know, why bother with a land line) and got repeated calls for the previous number holder, who apparently skipped town with a wide cornucopia of debts, including rent (sounded like a nice older lady, that one). Some people are flat-out dishonest and refuse to pay; this software isn't for them. It's to make it easier to send a payment to the right person to settle debts for honest-but-behind-on-bills-for-whatever-reason types.
Erick Bzovi
Mon, Apr 1, 2013 : 12:34 a.m.
John, Thanks for the support. That is exactly what we are trying to accomplish with our SettlementApp. Our RentRollApp is simply for rent pay and after some mkt research we saw some opportunity. The payment space is HUGE and we hope to grow with it!
dancinginmysoul
Sun, Mar 31, 2013 : 8:07 p.m.
Did anyone read this article before posting comments? These three young men are not debt collectors! They are software guys. Quit giving these young men a hard time and let them run their business. It's not their fault people don't pay their bills. Good luck you three!
Nicholas Urfe
Mon, Apr 1, 2013 : 12:54 a.m.
@dancinginmysoul: "they have no conscience? I just really don't have a response for that. I can't even get my brain wrapped around the logic of it. I'm pretty sure you just put these three young guys in the same group as the Evil Empire." -- You said it, not me. I said it "is not something I would ever devote my life to." I can think of a lot of constructive, helpful things to do. Being part of the debt collection process just isn't one of them. If you want to equate what they do to the "evil empire", or having "no conscience", well, that's YOUR opinion and YOUR words. Funny, that.
dancinginmysoul
Sun, Mar 31, 2013 : 10:49 p.m.
So, according to your logic, because these three gentlemen designed some software that allows people to pay their debts through an app AND a way for landlords to collect rent online (which is friggin awesome), they have no conscience? I just really don't have a response for that. I can't even get my brain wrapped around the logic of it. I'm pretty sure you just put these three young guys in the same group as the Evil Empire.
Hakki Tomanbay
Sun, Mar 31, 2013 : 10:48 p.m.
Nicholas Urfe, The software we are developing actually helps consumers with dept. We are trying to make it easy for people to conveniently pay their debt that they owe. We do not want people to have debt. We want people to be debt free and relaxed. I know I would want that. We have other apps and software as well, that help small business. We try to create whatever is needed in the technology field to better serve everyone. I am sorry that you feel the way you're feeling. We are young and there to help the community. In this case, we saw the need to easily pay debt in a more convenient way. Being able to get online anytime you are free, check the debt you owe, and perhaps make your own payment plan using our software is the most suitable way to pay your debt right now.
Nicholas Urfe
Sun, Mar 31, 2013 : 10:27 p.m.
"Who are you to criticize another person choices?" Someone with a conscience.
dancinginmysoul
Sun, Mar 31, 2013 : 10:01 p.m.
Who are you to criticize another person choices?
Nicholas Urfe
Sun, Mar 31, 2013 : 9:07 p.m.
Software guys have choices. "Debt collection software" is not something I would ever devote my life to.
Brad
Sun, Mar 31, 2013 : 7:04 p.m.
Maybe it should've been "HeelPay".
Chase Ingersoll
Sun, Mar 31, 2013 : 5:59 p.m.
These are very nice young men that are providing a product that offers both the creditor and debtor a preferred means of communication. I had the pleasure of introducing Lance to the owner of Ann Arbor Credit Bureau following a Main Street Association lunch. It seemed like a natural match and I found it obvious that they should work with the local credit bureau. It's nice to know that they ended up being able to assist each other. People like to be in downtown Ann Arbor, precisely because of these types of connections that happen every day.
Erick Bzovi
Sun, Mar 31, 2013 : 10:58 p.m.
Thanks Chase
Dirty Mouth
Sun, Mar 31, 2013 : 5:40 p.m.
Debt collection is booming business in Michigan, sadly enough.
Jeff Wendel
Sun, Mar 31, 2013 : 6:48 p.m.
true.
Nicholas Urfe
Sun, Mar 31, 2013 : 4:19 p.m.
If you borrowed money, you need to repay it. This notion that repayment isn't necessary because big banks profit, or whatever, is nonsense. If you got the cash, pay it back. These guys are not villains for attempting to streamline the payment process via software.
Jeff Wendel
Sun, Mar 31, 2013 : 4:48 p.m.
Maybe there is a smart way Detroit and Synder can pay back their creditors. some how the autos did it!
MSU0284
Sun, Mar 31, 2013 : 4:11 p.m.
This doesn't seem like they the "debt collection" phone callers at all. They're providing an app to make it easier for people to deal with their debt. At least that's what I got out of the article.
Hakki Tomanbay
Sun, Mar 31, 2013 : 4:28 p.m.
You are absolutely right MSU0284. We are there to help consumers have more options. I have student debt myself and we are developing software to help me pay off my debt.
JRW
Sun, Mar 31, 2013 : 3:49 p.m.
Debt collections??? This is an unethical industry for starters. Thanks for the photo. Now we know that these three smiling 20-somethings are behind the sledge-hammer harassing phone calls that people receive.
Katrease Stafford
Sun, Mar 31, 2013 : 4:10 p.m.
JRW, Healpay is a tech company that created software, allowing people with debt the option to make payments online and in some cases, create a "payment plan" unique to their situation. They don't make collection calls.
Jeff Wendel
Sun, Mar 31, 2013 : 3:58 p.m.
how are they behind it? lol...
Erick Bzovi
Sun, Mar 31, 2013 : 3:30 p.m.
We developed our SettlementApp software from the perspective of somebody with student loan debt. In fact, most of our team has/had student loan debt. Our software makes it easier to pay off your loans by providing flexible options to people and many appreciate that. I know I would!
Jeff Wendel
Sun, Mar 31, 2013 : 3:11 p.m.
Save the trees, and please NO more paper checks.. Even the big banks are waking up to this. I can now deposit my check quicker through the ATM than with the teller. oh and the mobile apps are starting to pop up
timjbd
Sun, Mar 31, 2013 : 2:37 p.m.
It's good to get a look at the stylish hipsters at the other end of the harassing phone calls. Perhaps they'll be sipping their soy chai lattes while they're informing you that the sheriff is on his way to seize your property? I wonder how many people know that those companies you hear about on the radio looking to help you get out of debt are actually owned by the banks to whom you likely owe the debts?
timjbd
Mon, Apr 1, 2013 : 12:25 a.m.
Well, Eric, you're in a high-growth industry. That's for sure.
dancinginmysoul
Sun, Mar 31, 2013 : 8:04 p.m.
Did you even read the article? Even a little bit?
Erick Bzovi
Sun, Mar 31, 2013 : 5:55 p.m.
Timjbd, 1. We develop software & would be happy to demo it for you. We dont 'make harassing phone calls'..We strive to make it easier to pay online, whether it is a loan or your rent. We have several other products we are working on as we evolve the company. 2. we cant afford soy chai lattes, we are a startup :]
beeswing
Sun, Mar 31, 2013 : 5:37 p.m.
Stylish hipsters sipping soy chai lattes? You are making silly judgements on people, by what, scanning a headline and seeing the words "debt collection"? You then fantastically jump to deem these young men are all manner of evil in this world? Get a grip and read the actual article. I know these people personally and know them to be bright, creative, hard working, down-to-earth, genuine nice people. Sheesh!
Aah
Sun, Mar 31, 2013 : 12:33 p.m.
How can I get Rent Roll?
Erick Bzovi
Sun, Mar 31, 2013 : 3:35 p.m.
Hi, there is some more info about our RentRollApp here - http://healpay.com/rentrollapp.html but feel free to stop by our office or give us a shout - info@healpay.com happy easter,