Avatier adds Apttus co-founder Kirk Krappe to its board

Avatier on July 14, 2026 named Apttus co-founder and former CEO Kirk Krappe to its Board of Directors as the identity software company pushes its Trusted Conversational AI for Identity platform globally. The move brings category-building and enterprise go-to-market experience to Avatier as it expands a passwordless-first strategy for large enterprises.

Why it matters: - Avatier is trying to position Trusted Conversational AI for Identity as a new enterprise software category. - Krappe’s track record at Apttus gives Avatier a board member who has built and scaled a category before. - The appointment supports Avatier’s push to expand globally and win larger enterprise customers.

What happened: - Avatier appointed Kirk Krappe, co-founder and former CEO of Apttus, to its Board of Directors on July 14, 2026. - Krappe co-founded Apttus and led the company from inception through its growth into the Quote-to-Cash category. - Apttus was backed by Salesforce Ventures, ICONIQ Capital and K1, served more than 350 enterprise customers worldwide, and was later acquired by Thoma Bravo. - Krappe has more than two decades of enterprise software experience, including roles at Corio, Oracle and Siebel Systems. - Krappe was also an EY Entrepreneur of the Year finalist.

The details: - Avatier provides Identity and Access Management and Conversational AI for identity. - Avatier says Krappe’s experience will help scale its Trusted Conversational AI for Identity platform and passwordless-first strategy across global markets. - Avatier’s Identity Anywhere platform combines conversational AI-driven identity workflows across voice, phone and chat with passwordless authentication, automated lifecycle management and policy-driven access governance. - Fortune 500 organizations in healthcare, finance and government use Avatier to reduce helpdesk costs, strengthen compliance and speed Zero Trust adoption. - Avatier says its platform automates passwordless and password management, lifecycle provisioning and access governance to support compliance and Zero Trust.

Between the lines: - Avatier is signaling that identity management may be ready for the same kind of category definition that helped Quote-to-Cash scale. - The board hire suggests Avatier wants more than product credibility; it wants operating experience in turning a niche into a market standard. - Krappe’s quote frames identity security as a priority for enterprises adopting AI and rethinking access controls.

What’s next: - Avatier is expected to use Krappe’s experience to push its category language and enterprise go-to-market efforts. - The company is also likely to continue marketing its passwordless-first and conversational AI identity platform to global enterprises. - Avatier says it will keep focusing on security, productivity and cost efficiency through identity automation.

The bottom line: - Avatier is betting that a proven category creator can help turn conversational AI for identity into a mainstream enterprise market.