empowered - governance risk and compliance (grc) software

What empowered - governance risk and compliance (grc) software does

Empowered Systems is a privately held software company founded in 1995 and headquartered in London, United Kingdom (operating as Empowered Systems Ltd., registered in England and Wales). The company provides the Connected Risk platform, a modular, cloud-hosted Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) software platform purpose-built for audit, risk, and compliance management in financial services and other regulated industries. The platform is delivered via purpose-built modules covering internal audit, internal controls, enterprise risk management, operational risk, model risk, third-party risk, policy management, regulatory change management, and SOX/J-SOX compliance. Core platform capabilities include RESTful APIs, role-based access control, version control and audit trails, embedded dashboards, automated tasks and reminders, a no-code workflow builder, and global multi-entity support.

The technology stack is built around Connected Risk with an integrated AI layer branded as Empowered AI. Connected Risk v25.3.0 (2025) introduced a generative AI assistant that combines preconfigured prompts with real-time platform data to draft remediation plans, audit findings, and related outputs. Connected Risk v26.1 (2026) added an AI-Powered Search capability that scans application data and uploaded attachments to return permission-aware summarized responses. The platform ships with pre-built content libraries aligned to Basel III, SOX/ICFR, J-SOX, COSO, DORA, SR 11-7, NIST, ISO 27001, CSRD, Sapin II, and the UK Bribery Act, and integrates with Microsoft Office, Active Directory/SSO, BI tools, regulatory content providers, document management systems, and external data science and modeling tools. The AutoAudit® registered trademark and AutoAudit Desktop sub-product provide a standalone audit management capability, and the EmpoweredNEXT partner ecosystem enables third-party partner applications on the platform.

Empowered monetizes through quote-based SaaS subscriptions sold via direct enterprise field sales to large financial institutions, banks, and regulated organizations. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and contracts are multi-year, with no self-service or marketplace motion. The customer base includes Citi, LSEG (London Stock Exchange Group), MUFG, RBC, Santander, TD Bank, Aegon, ADCB, Nomura, SMBC, Alfa Laval, and Qatar Charity. Distribution is supported by platform partners (Wolters Kluwer, Dun & Bradstreet), global implementation partners (EY), regional partners (RSM France), and a Japan-focused channel partner (GRCS Co., Ltd.) that delivers J-SOX localization. Leadership is headed by Chief Executive Officer Vincent Celestino. The company is privately held with no disclosed funding rounds, M&A, or parent-company relationships.

Name

empowered - governance risk and compliance (grc) software

Legal name

Empowered Systems Ltd.

Website

https://empowered-systems.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Empowered Systems provides the Connected Risk GRC platform, a modular, cloud-hosted software suite for audit, risk, and compliance management serving large financial institutions and regulated enterprises via direct enterprise SaaS subscriptions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Software

NAICS

Software Publishers (513210)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) Platforms (BPAEAPAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Risk, Controls & Governance (GRC) Platforms (FSAFAOAG), Compliance, GRC Workflow & Audit Automation Platforms (HDAEAHAL)

Keywords

• Governance risk compliance
• Audit management software
• Enterprise risk management
• Regulatory compliance software
• Internal controls management

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Operations

Revenue model

1. SaaS Subscription: Cloud-hosted Connected Risk platform sold via subscription model to financial institutions, banks, and enterprises requiring GRC software. Pricing is quote-based, suggesting enterprise-level contracts with multi-year terms.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Empowered Systems sells the Connected Risk platform, a cloud-hosted, modular governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) software suite that unifies audit, risk, and compliance workflows into a single system of record. The platform is sold as a SaaS subscription to large financial institutions and regulated enterprises, with embedded AI capabilities (Empowered AI) for generating remediation plans and natural-language data retrieval, and is supported by an ecosystem of consulting and technology partners.

Product overview

Empowered offers Connected Risk, a unified GRC platform with a modular architecture. The core Connected Risk platform brings audit, risk, and compliance teams into one connected foundation. Purpose-built modules include AutoAudit (audit management), Enterprise Risk Management, Internal Audit Management, Internal Controls Management, Model Risk Management, Operational Risk Management, Policy Management, Regulatory Change Management, Third-Party Risk Management, J-SOX Compliance, and SOX/ICFR Compliance. Additional capabilities include Empowered AI (generative AI assistant), EmpoweredNEXT partner ecosystem, and AutoAudit Desktop. All modules share data and provide connected visibility across the organization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Connected Risk: The company's modular GRC platform that brings audit, risk, and compliance programs together.
• AutoAudit
• Connected Risk Platform
• EmpoweredNEXT

Products and services

• Connected Risk Modular, cloud-hosted GRC platform that unifies audit, risk, and compliance teams into a single system of record with infinite linkage of risks, controls, issues, and policies. Sold as a SaaS subscription to large financial institutions and regulated enterprises.
• AutoAudit Industry-leading audit management solution (registered trademark) that helps organizations prioritize risk, track findings, and deliver audit value across the audit lifecycle.
• AutoAudit Desktop Desktop edition of the AutoAudit audit management solution offering comprehensive audit management capabilities outside the cloud platform.
• EmpoweredNEXT Partner ecosystem platform that allows organizations to expand the Connected Risk solution with third-party partner applications built on the platform.
• J-SOX Compliance Management Comprehensive J-SOX compliance solution for the GRC lifecycle covering flexible framework building, control management, ownership and alerts, and integrated audit trail for Japanese regulatory requirements.

Quantifiable outcome

• 45% reduction in time spent on control testing
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

AI capability4 records

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and regional.

• Wolters KluwercoreTechnology or IntegrationPlatform partner providing content and integration capabilities within the Connected Risk ecosystem.
• Dun & BradstreetcoreTechnology or IntegrationPlatform partner providing data and integration capabilities for third-party risk management within Connected Risk.
• EYmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMajor consulting firm partner providing implementation and advisory services for Connected Risk deployments.
• RSM FranceregionalImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRegional consulting partner in France providing implementation services for Connected Risk.
• GRCSregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJapanese partner (GRCS Co., Ltd.) providing sales, implementation, and localization support for Connected Risk in Japan, including J-SOX compliance solutions.
• EmpoweredNEXT® Partner ApplicationscoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner ecosystem allowing expansion of Connected Risk solution with third-party partner applications built on the platform.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@empoweredgrc
• Facebookfacebook.com/empoweredgrc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/empoweredgrc
• Instagraminstagram.com/empoweredsystems

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about empowered - governance risk and compliance (grc) software