LITTLE ROCK, AR – February 24, 2021 – Elizabeth Glasbrenner, the President/CEO & Co-Founder of Smiley Technologies, Inc., was selected to the first class of the Forbes Next 1000. Forbes chose 250 entrepreneurs from across the country in the first class, with Glasbrenner being the only honoree from Arkansas.

This year-round initiative showcases the ambitious sole proprietors, self-funded shops and pre-revenue startups in the country – all with under $10 million in revenue. The Next 1000 judging panel is a powerhouse Who’s Who, including sport superstars Alex Rodriguez and Russell Wilson, tech icons like LinkedIn Co-Founder Reid Hoffman and Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg,  investment managers Mellody Hobson of Ariel Investments and Aileen Lee of Cowboy Ventures, National Geographic Society Chairman Jean Case, Morgan Stanley Vice Chairman Carla Harris, restauranteur Ayesha Curry, comedian Lilly Singh and Grammy Award-winning singer Ciara.

Glasbrenner co-founded Smiley Technologies, Inc. with her brother in 2002 after seeing a need for better customer service and continuing innovation in the core banking industry. Smiley Technologies is headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas and has partner banks across the country from California to South Carolina.

The Company is deeply rooted in the history of banking technology.  Glasbrenner is the daughter of Walter Smiley, founder in 1968 of Systematics, Inc.  Growing up in the data centers of her father’s venture, she witnessed the benefits of a true partnership between a technology provider and a bank. Such a partnership, she saw, allowed all of the parties to flourish — not just the Company, its employees and its shareholders, but also the bank, its customers and their communities.

“I am humbled and honored to be selected to the inaugural list of the Forbes Next 1000,” said Glasbrenner.  “This recognition is a true tribute to my co-workers and partners for years of hard work and dedication to building something so special and so needed in the marketplace.”

More details on the Forbes Next 1000 can be found here.

About Smiley Technologies, Inc. (STI)

Smiley Technologies, Inc. is a trusted voice providing secure, innovative banking solutions and exceptional customer service that promotes valued strategic partnerships with its banking customers. The Company values customer-centric business practices and traditions that recall those who ushered in the first big wave of bank technology innovation a half century ago. is built on the idea that banking and innovation can, and should, work together seamlessly. The Company believes that the employees are just as important as the software, and invests heavily in both. STI continues to build on its commitment to deliver better banking through its innovative SIBanking™ product suite. For information, please visit: https://www.sibanking.com.

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