About Us
Founded in 2007, shortly before the Great Financial Crisis, Banzai was the brainchild of two young entrepreneurs entrenched in the world of finance—Morgan Vandagriff, working at an asset management firm, and Kendall Buchanan, employed by a large mortgage broker on the East Coast. Together, the two envisioned a financial literacy product that could benefit their clients and families.
Sensing the need for a fresh start, they took a bold leap and relocated to Utah, where the company is now based. Together, the two entrepreneurs bootstrapped the business, sketching out initial ideas in Kendall’s apartment. They worked relentlessly—attending conferences, knocking on doors, and distributing brochures—all while stretching savings that would only last them a year and a half.
The turning point came when a local high school teacher asked to use the product with her students. This sparked a shift in Banzai’s focus to providing free financial education to teachers and students, backed by sponsorships from financial institutions.
Our Mission
Today, Banzai is used by over 120,000 teachers in more than 50% of U.S. schools, helping countless students gain critical financial literacy skills. The company’s journey exemplifies dedication, growth, and a commitment to making a lasting impact.
Morgan and Kendall both currently reside in Utah. Kendall enjoys outdoor activities and family time with his wife and six children while continuing to innovate. Morgan remains active in technology, continually iterating new ideas. In his free time, he loves to travel the world and listen to music with his wife and two kids.
Teachers
See why educators use Banzai in classrooms across the US.
Parents
Explore how Banzai resources can help anyone teach life-literacy in the home.
Banks & Credit Unions
Learn how Banzai helps financial institutions serve their community’s needs.
Businesses
Find out how employers use Banzai to help their employees find security.
Pendant
Make your benefits make sense to your employees.