Future Proof CEO Matt Middleton Spotlights Impruve in "AI That Fits The Firm"

A recap of the Future Proof article: https://futureproofhq.com/ai-that-fits-the-firm/

Not every AI company in wealth management is racing to build the next mass-market tool. Impruve is taking a decidedly different approach, going deep rather than wide.

Founded by Mike Shannon and Danny Shannon, Impruve operates as an embedded AI partner for advisory firms, building custom solutions tailored to each firm's workflows, culture, and data. Their model, which they call "AI stewardship," is less about selling software and more about ongoing collaboration, including bi-weekly strategy sessions with partners to continuously refine and adapt their work.

One of those partners is Michael Tanney, Senior Managing Director at Magnus Financial Group, a $2B New York-based RIA. Tanney frames AI as the bridge between running an efficient business and delivering deeply personal client service. He describes the opportunity as the intersection of IQ, EQ, and AI, and warns that many in the industry are missing it precisely because it's so large.

Danny Shannon points out that most firms struggle not from a lack of interest in AI, but from buried legacy processes and scattered data. Impruve's first step is always workflow mapping, understanding where data gets stuck before building any technology on top of it.

The firm's work with Magnus also includes what Mike calls "off-menu" projects: AI tools that automate client value reports, analyze books of business, and help advisors personalize outreach by surfacing meaningful client details. The goal isn't to replace advisors, it's to scale them.

As Tanney put it, when markets turn volatile and clients are anxious, what they want is someone to look them in the eye and tell them it's going to be all right. That human element, he argues, is irreplaceable.

The takeaway from all three: the firms winning with AI aren't waiting for vendors to hand them a playbook. They're building in partnership, and that collaborative mindset is what defines the next chapter of the industry.

This piece was written by Future Proof CEO Matt Middleton and published under the title "AI That Fits The Firm" as part of Future Proof's "Build with AI" theme for Future Proof Citywide 2026. The annual flagship event takes place in Miami Beach, FL, and features an AI Playground, a 21,000-square-foot pavilion with live demos, startup showcases, and peer discussions centered on how AI is reshaping the way advisory firms operate and serve clients.