Kikoff Sets the Standard in AI and Earns Inc.’s 2025 Best in Business Honors in Best AI Implementation

Audio By Carbonatix

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 2, 2025--

Kikoff, a leading personal finance platform that expands access to credit and financial services, is proud to announce its inclusion on the Inc. Best in Business list in the Best AI Implementation category. Inc.’s annual Best in Business Awards celebrate the exceptional achievements and contributions of companies that have made a profound impact on their industries.

The Best AI Implementation accolade comes as Kikoff continues to expand its AI leadership in FinTech. Earlier this year, the company launched the AI Debt Negotiator, a proprietary tool that communicates and negotiates directly with debt collectors on behalf of users, already delivering more than $2.5 million in debt savings. The tool flips the script on predatory debt-negotiation services that have historically charged steep fees and shut millions out of the help they need most. By relying on AI and automation, Kikoff is able to reduce operational costs by 80%, enabling the company to offer this as a complementary service to users and opening doors for millions who were previously left out. The AI Debt Negotiator is one of many tools in Kikoff’s growing AI suite, with additional AI-powered products already in development for future release.

“Being named an Inc. Best in Business is an incredible honor that reflects the heart of what we stand for at Kikoff,” said Cynthia Chen, Founder and CEO of Kikoff. “We set out to reimagine an outdated credit system and give millions of people a way forward. This recognition celebrates the impact we are already making and fuels our commitment to transform financial access at an even larger scale.”

The recognition honors companies that, through exceptional execution, have achieved significant milestones and core business wins, like customer expansion, key product launches, increased market share, and industry-defining accomplishments. Companies from a wide range of industries – such as technology, health care, finance, and retail – have been recognized for their success and their positive influence on the business world.

“Each Best in Business honoree achieved a breakthrough moment this year. Some unveiled groundbreaking innovations while others launched savvy marketing campaigns or strategically implemented AI in their companies,” says Bonny Ghosh, editorial director at Inc. “No matter what their business win looked like, their projects and initiatives had a sizable impact on their company and even on their industry at large, making them worthy of this honor.”

The full list can be found on Inc.com and in the upcoming winter print edition of Inc. magazine.

Inc.’s Best in Business Awards are open to companies of all sizes and types, in all industries and locations. Public, private, nonprofit, subsidiary, U.S.-based, and international companies are all encouraged to apply. Inc. editors and reporters hand-review every application and select Best in Business honorees that, in each of the award categories, have had an outstanding influence on their communities, their industries, the environment, or society as a whole.

For more information or to see the complete list, please visit inc.com/best-in-business.

To learn more about Kikoff and its credit-building solutions, visit: kikoff.com.

About Kikoff

Kikoff is a personal finance platform on a mission to empower everyone to achieve financial security, no matter where they are starting from. Through simple, radically affordable products powered by technology and AI, Kikoff helps people build credit, lower debt, and move toward lasting financial stability. To date, more than one million people have increased their credit scores by over 80 million points. Kikoff’s growing suite of products also helps users reduce debt, save money, access liquidity, and unlock greater financial opportunity. Learn more at Kikoff.com or by downloading the Kikoff app.

About Inc.

Inc. is the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future. Through its journalism, Inc. aims to inform, educate, and elevate the profile of its community: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters who are creating the future of business. Inc. is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with fellow leading business publication Fast Company. For more information, visit www.inc.com.

View source version on businesswire.com:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251202200237/en/

CONTACT: Kikoff Media Contact:

Kelly Potts

Pitch Public Relations

[email protected]

[email protected]

KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA

INDUSTRY KEYWORD: SOFTWARE INTERNET FINANCE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TECHNOLOGY APPS/APPLICATIONS BUSINESS

SOURCE: Kikoff

Copyright Business Wire 2025.

PUB: 12/02/2025 07:30 AM/DISC: 12/02/2025 07:31 AM

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251202200237/en