#40 - Jonathan Silver, CEO & Co-Founder at Engage People

Join us on this week's episode of the Slice of Finance podcast, hosted by Jared S. Taylor!

Our Guest: Jonathan Silver, CEO & Co-Founder at Engage People.

What you’ll get out of this episode:

Engage People’s Loyalty Tech Vision: Jonathan Silver shares how Engage People enables consumers to pay with loyalty points directly at checkout.
Triple Win for Retailers, Programs, and Members: Increased engagement, larger basket sizes, and lower transaction costs benefit all parties.
Frictionless User Experience: A seamless POS integration drives high adoption and member satisfaction.
The Future of Loyalty: AI-driven offers based on consumer behavior aim to optimize value and response rates.
Retailer and FI Value Proposition: One integration opens access to Engage People’s expanding network of partners and active users.

Meet Jonathan Silver and the Engage People Journey

From stumbling into loyalty at 18 to founding Engage People, Jonathan Silver has seen the industry evolve. Tired of working for others, he launched Engage People to disrupt traditional loyalty systems and provide smarter, user-friendly solutions that bridge loyalty programs and retailers.

How Pay With Points Is Changing the Game

Engage People focuses on a simple but transformative idea—letting consumers use their loyalty points like cash. Whether at a gas station, coffee shop, or major e-commerce retailer, members can seamlessly redeem points at checkout. No sign-ups. No disjointed portals. Just value—when and where it matters most.

Benefits for All Stakeholders

Silver explains that the model benefits three critical players:

Members enjoy surprise savings and effortless redemptions, leading to higher satisfaction.
Loyalty programs see increased card usage, member retention, and engagement.
Retailers experience larger baskets, more frequent visits, and a lower-cost transaction method.

Emphasizing Seamlessness and Surprise

Seamless integration at the POS is crucial. Whether paying with a card, phone, or watch, consumers are prompted in the same flow they’re already used to. This in-the-moment magic—like a free coffee or $50 off shoes—leaves customers delighted and more likely to return.

Why Retailers and Financial Institutions Join Engage People

Retailers can connect with Engage People once and gain access to a growing list of loyalty programs. The tech boosts frequency, spend, and customer acquisition, while loyalty programs get more redemptions and higher card spend. Engage People currently supports over 60 million users, with growth plans extending to hundreds of millions by next year.

Looking Ahead: AI and Intelligent Offers

Silver hints at Engage People’s next big frontier—AI-driven, personalized offers based on user behavior and point balances. Picture walking past a store and receiving an offer tailored to your habits. It’s loyalty marketing that’s proactive, relevant, and built to convert.