Legal & Compliance

Legal Status and Company Information

genOTC is a French financial technology startup legally registered as a société par actions simplifiée (SAS), which is a form of simplified joint-stock company. The company was incorporated in July 2024 and is registered with the Trade and Companies Register (RCS) of Chambéry, France (effective registration on July 1, 2024). genOTC has an initial share capital of €120,016 and its official SIREN number is 930 721 725 The headquarters is based in Chignin (Savoie department) in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. According to corporate filings, genOTC’s primary business activity is the “design, development, sale and operation of software in the domains of finance, banking, economics, artificial intelligence and mathematical modeling,” including the processing and commercialization of financial data and related consulting services. In summary, genOTC positions itself as a technology provider in the quantitative finance space, leveraging advanced mathematical research for financial software solutions.

Services Offered by genOTC

genOTC is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform focused on volatility model calibration and derivatives pricing. It provides a suite of tools and services aimed at quantitative analysts, traders, and risk management teams to efficiently calibrate and utilize volatility models. Key services and features of the genOTC platform include:

  • Volatility Surface Calibration: The platform performs non-parametric and semi-parametric calibration of volatility surfaces (e.g. local volatility models) even under stochastic interest rate conditions. This means genOTC can generate smooth, arbitrage-free local volatility surfaces that exactly fit a set of observed market prices. In practice, given any set of valid market data (such as option prices across strikes and maturities), genOTC finds an arbitrage-free model that calibrates exactly to those inputs. The approach leverages cutting-edge algorithms (notably based on optimal transport theory) to achieve precise calibrations in real time.
  • Interactive Visualization and Diagnostics: Users can visualize the calibrated volatility surfaces through an interactive interface. The platform provides diagnostic tools and quality indicators to evaluate the calibration results. This includes visual inspection of surface smoothness, arbitrage checks, error metrics, and other indicators of calibration quality. Such visualization helps quants and risk managers to verify that the model fits the market data well and to identify any anomalies or areas of poor fit.
  • Results Export: genOTC allows the export of calibration results and related data. For example, users can export the calibrated volatility surface data points, the parameters or settings used during calibration, underlying yield curves or volatility curves, and diagnostic reports. These exports enable further analysis or integration with other systems. The ability to retrieve the calibrated surface and parameters is useful for plugging into pricing engines or for documentation and model validation purposes.
  • Batch and Real-Time Computation: The platform supports both batch-mode calculations and real-time (on-demand) calibration requests. Users can either run bulk calibrations (e.g., calibrating many different surfaces or scenarios in an offline batch) or request real-time calibration via the interface or API for immediate results. The mode of operation can depend on how the platform is accessed – either through a web graphical interface or programmatically via an API. Real-time on-demand pricing services are a core offering of genOTC, effectively providing “on the fly” calibration with minimal latency.
  • Custom Market Data Integration: genOTC is designed to integrate with user-provided market data. Users can import their own datasets — for instance, sets of option quotes, interest rate cap/floor data, or other derivative market prices — as inputs to the calibration engine. The platform will work with any such given market data in a fully integrated framework, without requiring additional coding or integration effort by the user. This flexibility means clients can calibrate models to their proprietary or niche market data (for example, data on exotic options or less liquid markets) in the same way as with standard market instruments.
  • API Access: An application programming interface (API) is planned (coming soon) to enable direct integration of genOTC’s capabilities into clients’ internal systems and workflows. Through the API, developers and quantitative teams will be able to send calibration requests and retrieve results programmatically, which is useful for embedding genOTC in automated trading systems, risk management frameworks, or custom pricing tools. This forthcoming API will support real-time queries and potentially high-throughput batch calls, allowing genOTC’s calibration engine to be used as a backend service in enterprise quant workflows. (As of the latest information, the API feature is in development and expected to be available in the near future.)
  • Documentation and Support Resources: genOTC provides technical documentation and educational materials to help users get the most out of the platform. This includes detailed user guides, technical notes on the calibration methods, example use cases, and possibly whitepapers explaining the underlying models. There are also implementation support resources aimed at quantitative analysts or risk managers who are onboarding the platform. Combined with the company’s customer support (see next section), these resources help ensure that client teams can integrate genOTC into their model calibration and pricing processes smoothly.

In summary, genOTC’s platform offers a turnkey solution for model calibration: users can input market data and obtain a fully calibrated local or local-stochastic volatility model, visualize and export the results, and integrate the tool into their existing systems. All of this is delivered via a cloud-based SaaS model (accessible through a web interface and APIs), eliminating the need for institutions to develop or maintain their own complex calibration libraries.

Customer Support and Service Level Agreement (SLA)

genOTC provides customer support to its clients under standard SaaS support practices. Key points regarding support include:

  • Support Channels: The primary support channel is email. Users and clients can reach out to the genOTC support team via the dedicated email address (e.g., support@genotc.com) for assistance. As the platform and client base grow, additional support channels might be introduced (such as an in-app chat or a ticketing portal), but email support is the default mode at present.
  • Support Hours: Support is offered during normal business hours in Europe, roughly Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Central European Time (CET). Inquiries sent outside of these hours are typically handled on the next business day. This coverage aligns with standard working hours for genOTC’s team (which is based in France and possibly other European locations).
  • Response Time: genOTC aims to respond to support inquiries within one business day (approximately 24 hours during weekdays) for standard support requests. This is a typical response time target (often part of a basic SLA) to acknowledge and address customer questions or issues. Critical issues or outages might be addressed faster, but for general queries, clients can expect a response by the next business day.
  • Enterprise Support Options: For enterprise customers or those with premium agreements, genOTC offers the possibility of customized SLAs and dedicated support. This can include faster response times, higher prioritization of tickets, and availability through additional channels such as a private Slack workspace or Microsoft Teams channel for real-time collaboration with the support team. Enterprise support agreements might also designate an account manager or technical point-of-contact for the client. These enhanced support terms would typically be negotiated as part of an enterprise licensing contract.
  • Self-Service Resources: In addition to direct support, genOTC provides online documentation and learning resources to help customers troubleshoot and learn the platform. Users have access to a knowledge base that may include how-to guides, an FAQ section, whitepapers explaining the methodology behind genOTC, and tutorial videos or demos. These resources enable users to find answers to common questions and effectively use the platform features without always needing direct intervention from the support team. By having comprehensive documentation and examples, genOTC reduces the support burden and empowers users to self-serve for routine inquiries.

Overall, the support model is designed to ensure that clients can reliably use genOTC in their mission-critical processes. Basic support with next-day responses is available to all clients, while those with greater needs can opt for enterprise-level support arrangements for more immediate and customized assistance. All users benefit from the platform’s documentation and educational materials that complement the direct support channels.

Commercial Business Model

genOTC’s business model follows a typical B2B SaaS (Business-to-Business Software as a Service) approach. The platform is offered on a subscription basis to institutional clients (such as banks, hedge funds, asset managers, or consulting firms) and includes various licensing and pricing options. Key aspects of the commercial model include:

  • Subscription Licensing: Clients usually engage via an annual license to use the genOTC platform. Contracts can be structured on an annual or multi-year basis, with billing either upfront (yearly) or in periodic installments (e.g., quarterly). The annual subscription gives the institution a defined number of user seats or system access rights for the duration of the term. genOTC may offer different tiers of subscription (for example, Basic, Advanced, Enterprise editions) that provide varying levels of features, user counts, or support levels based on the client’s needs.
  • User-Based or Usage-Based Pricing: The pricing model can be tailored based on the client’s usage profile. Per-User pricing is one common approach – where the cost depends on the number of end-users (analysts, traders, etc.) at the client firm who will access genOTC. Another approach is API usage-based pricing, which might be relevant if the client mainly uses genOTC via API calls for automated processes; in this case, pricing could be based on the number of API calls or the volume of calibrations performed. In practice, enterprise deals might combine these elements or offer unlimited use for a fixed fee, depending on what is negotiated in the contract.
  • Free Trials and PoCs: To encourage adoption, genOTC often allows prospective customers to engage in a proof-of-concept (PoC) or trial period. A PoC is typically a short-term evaluation (which could be free or at a reduced cost) where the client can test genOTC on their own datasets and workflows. This might involve a limited-scope project (for example, calibrating a particular product or asset class) to demonstrate value before a full commitment. Similarly, genOTC may offer a free trial for new users – for instance, a trial lasting around two weeks (14 days) or allowing up to a certain number of calibrations or API calls – so that potential clients can explore the interface and capabilities without an immediate purchase commitment. These trial offerings lower the barrier to entry and let users experience the platform’s benefits first-hand.
  • Tiered Offerings and Add-Ons: The platform’s licensing can be stratified by feature set. For example, a basic tier might include core calibration features for a single asset class, whereas an advanced tier might unlock multi-asset calibration (equities, rates, commodities, etc.), real-time API access, or advanced analytics. Add-on modules (such as an upcoming feature for stochastic interest rate modeling or additional data integrations) could be priced separately. This tiered structure ensures that smaller firms can opt for a lighter (more affordable) package, while larger institutions with complex needs can subscribe to a comprehensive package.
  • Pricing Alignment with Client Profile: genOTC is flexible in adapting pricing to the client’s profile. Factors such as the size of the company (startup vs. large bank), the sector (e.g., hedge fund, bank, consultant), and geographical region can influence the pricing structure. For instance, a regional boutique firm might have a different pricing model than a global bank. The platform can tailor its proposals to ensure the cost is commensurate with the value and usage for each client segment. This flexibility helps genOTC cater to a broad range of financial institutions and use cases.
  • “Pilot-to-Enter” Strategy: As part of its go-to-market approach, genOTC employs a “pilot-to-enter” strategy. This means the company encourages new customers to start with a pilot project or limited-scope deployment of genOTC (often through the aforementioned PoC or trial). If the pilot is successful and demonstrates clear value (e.g., improved calibration speed or accuracy, better risk insights, etc.), the client can then expand usage into a full enterprise-wide deployment. This strategy lowers the risk for clients at the start and provides a proof point, making it easier for genOTC to enter large organizations by first solving a smaller problem and then growing the account.

In summary, genOTC’s commercial model is focused on long-term SaaS subscriptions, with an emphasis on flexibility and low-friction adoption. Annual licenses and user/API-based pricing ensure scalable revenue, while free trials and pilot projects help in converting prospects to customers by proving the platform’s value early. As a result, genOTC can accommodate everything from a single-team usage in a small firm to a broad deployment in a major financial institution, each under appropriate pricing and contractual terms.

Data Security and Compliance

Data security, privacy, and regulatory compliance are critical considerations for genOTC, given its target clientele in the financial industry. The platform is designed to meet strict European data protection standards and to safeguard sensitive financial data that clients provide. Key points regarding genOTC’s security and compliance measures include:

  • GDPR Compliance and Data Hosting: genOTC adheres to the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requirements for data handling. As a French company serving EU clients, genOTC ensures that personal data and client-provided data are processed in accordance with GDPR principles (lawfulness, transparency, data minimization, etc.). Notably, all client data and computations are hosted on servers located in Europe (as indicated in genOTC’s terms and conditions), thereby keeping data under EU jurisdiction. By restricting data storage and processing to European data centers, genOTC helps clients avoid the legal complications of international data transfers and provides assurance regarding data sovereignty and GDPR compliance.
  • No Retention Without Consent: The platform follows a policy of not retaining any client-uploaded market data or calibration results longer than necessary. Data that users input (such as option prices, curves, etc.) is used for the calibration computation, and then not stored persistently unless the user explicitly saves it or consents to its storage. This means genOTC performs a transient processing of sensitive data – once the on-demand calculation is complete and results are delivered, the underlying data isn’t held on genOTC’s servers in identifiable form. By avoiding long-term storage of client datasets, genOTC reduces the risk of data leaks and eases compliance concerns for clients who may be sharing proprietary or confidential financial data. Any logging or backup that is done for operational reasons is handled in aggregate or anonymized form in line with privacy policies.
  • Secure Access and Authentication: Access to the genOTC platform is secured through individual user accounts with proper authentication mechanisms. All communication with the platform (web interface or API) is encrypted (e.g., using HTTPS/TLS) to protect data in transit. User credentials and personal data are stored securely, and multi-factor authentication (MFA) may be supported for additional account security. genOTC likely implements role-based access control as well, meaning users only access data and features they are authorized to. These security measures ensure that only authorized individuals within a client institution can access that institution’s data and calibration results on genOTC.
  • Confidentiality of Client Data: genOTC contractually commits to maintaining the confidentiality of client data. Any data provided by users (market data, model parameters, results, etc.) is considered confidential and is not shared with third parties or other clients. In enterprise agreements, non-disclosure clauses protect any sensitive information exchanged. genOTC’s internal policies would ensure that employees or subprocessors only access client data on a need-to-know basis for maintenance or support. Moreover, sensitive financial data and model outputs are used solely for the purpose of providing the service back to the user — i.e., calibrating the model and returning results — and not for any other purpose. genOTC does not monetize client data; there is no sharing or selling of data to outsiders. This approach is crucial for earning trust, as clients (banks, funds, etc.) require assurance that their proprietary data (like their specific volatility surfaces or trading book information) remains secure and private.
  • Industry Standards and Future Certifications: genOTC strives to align with industry best practices for security. The company has indicated that it has achieved or is pursuing independent industry certifications to validate its security controls. In the future, genOTC may formally seek certifications such as ISO/IEC 27001 (the international standard for information security management systems) and SOC 2 (Service Organization Control 2, a standard for cloud service security and process integrity). These certifications involve rigorous external audits of the company’s security policies, procedures, and technical measures. Achieving such certifications would demonstrate genOTC’s ongoing commitment to data protection and give clients additional confidence that the platform meets high security standards. Even prior to certification, genOTC likely follows many of the same practices (regular security audits, data encryption at rest, network security measures like firewalls, etc.) as part of its internal risk management. The privacy policy of genOTC also notes that the company takes “all reasonable measures to protect personal data” and has independently audited certifications to ensure data is handled according to industry standards.

In summary, genOTC treats security and compliance as foundational aspects of its service. By hosting data in Europe and complying with GDPR, it addresses regulatory requirements for its EU customers. Its operational policies minimize data retention and emphasize confidentiality, reducing exposure of sensitive information. With secure-by-design architecture and the pursuit of recognized security certifications, genOTC aims to meet the expectations of institutional clients for robust protection of their data and reliability of the service.

Free Trials, Proof-of-Concepts, and Limited Access Programs

To attract and onboard new users, genOTC offers various trial and limited-access programs that allow potential clients to evaluate the platform’s capabilities before committing to a full subscription. These pre-commercial access options include:

  • Time-Limited Free Trials: Interested users can sign up for a free trial of genOTC for a short period. For example, genOTC might provide a trial lasting around 5–14 days (a week or two) during which the user can access the platform with nearly full functionality. In some cases, instead of time duration, the trial could be limited by usage volume – e.g., “up to 50 calibration runs free” or a similar cap. This gives prospects a hands-on opportunity to use the interface, upload their data, and see the calibration results on a small scale. Typically, such trials can be requested via a landing page on the genOTC website (by filling a sign-up form) or by contacting the genOTC sales team, who can enable the trial access. The free trial is non-binding – users are not charged and there is no obligation to continue if they decide the product does not meet their needs.
  • Proof-of-Concept (PoC) Engagements: For institutional prospects evaluating genOTC, the company offers PoC projects that are often tailor-made. In a PoC, genOTC’s team works closely with the prospective client on a specific use-case over a defined short term (usually a few weeks to a couple of months). The client provides a subset of their data or a particular problem (for instance, calibrating a volatility surface for a particular asset or validating a model on historical scenarios), and genOTC allows them to use the platform to solve it. The PoC may be free or sometimes paid at a nominal fee, depending on the depth of work involved. The goal is to demonstrate in a real-world scenario how genOTC adds value – for example, showing faster calibration times, more accurate fits, or easier workflows compared to the client’s current tools. A successful PoC often leads to a broader adoption, as it builds confidence among stakeholders by delivering tangible results on the client’s own data.
  • Demo / Limited Feature Access: genOTC can also provide a demo version of the platform that is used in sales presentations or evaluations. This demo mode might have certain limitations – for instance, users might be able to upload data and see calibration outputs on screen, but the ability to export those results could be disabled until a license is purchased. In some demo cases, results may be partially obscured (for example, numerical values might be blurred or only a portion of the surface is shown) to prevent full use without a license. The purpose of the demo environment is to showcase the platform’s interface and capabilities interactively, often guided by genOTC staff or partners, without giving away the full product. These demos are useful in early-stage discussions, webinars, or conference showcases, allowing potential customers to visualize how genOTC works.
  • API Trial Tokens: As genOTC rolls out its API access, the company plans to allow developers and quantitative teams to test the integration via temporary API tokens. This means a prospective client (or an existing client’s IT team) could be given a trial API key that is valid for a limited time or limited number of calls. With this, they can simulate how genOTC’s service would plug into their own infrastructure – for example, calling genOTC’s API from their Python scripts, Excel spreadsheets (via VBA or Power Query), or internal pricing systems. Such integration trials are important for technical validation, ensuring that genOTC’s SaaS can smoothly connect with a client’s technology stack (for example, confirming that latency is acceptable, the API endpoints cover the needed functionality, data formats are compatible, etc.). By offering a sandboxed API trial, genOTC addresses the due diligence needs of more technically-oriented clients who need to verify architecture fit before signing on.

These various free or limited-access offerings reflect genOTC’s understanding that in the B2B fintech space, clients often need to “try before they buy.” By lowering the entry barriers through trials and PoCs, genOTC can demonstrate its value proposition in practice. This approach not only builds trust with potential customers (as they can see results on their own terms) but also provides genOTC with feedback and use-cases that can be invaluable for refining the product. Many enterprise software deals, especially in finance, start with a successful trial or pilot; genOTC’s marketing and sales strategy leverages this by encouraging prospects to start small, experience the platform, and then expand usage once they are convinced of its benefits.

Credits

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