Tampa Bay Wave, Inc. and the University of South Florida Muma College of Business have selected 15 high-growth fintech startups from across the United States and abroad to take part in its second FinTech|X Accelerator program.
Fintech refers to the integration of technology into financial services. Online banking systems, crypto exchanges and crowdfunding platforms are all examples of fintech.
The FinTech|X Accelerator program represents a multi-year partnership between Tampa Bay Wave and the USF Muma College of Business, with funding provided by the U.S. Economic Development Administration, Encore Bank and Smiley Technologies. It aims at nurturing and propelling fintech startups to new heights of success in Tampa Bay and beyond.
“The second year of this fintech accelerator signifies a significant drive forward in the collaboration between Tampa Bay Wave and USF Muma College of Business, and we couldn’t be happier,” said Linda Olson, CEO of Tampa Bay Wave. “This partnership demonstrates our shared dedication to fostering innovation, entrepreneurship and technological advancement in the fintech landscape.”
Over a period of 90 days, with three in-person weeks taking place at the Kate Tiedemann School of Business and Finance on the USF St. Petersburg campus, each startup will receive unparalleled access to resources, mentorship, connections and guidance from industry veterans. The program will equip these businesses with the tools necessary to accelerate growth and drive impact.
Companies in the program will also participate in a Pitch Night event at the conclusion of the program on October 19th to showcase their businesses and financial technology solutions being developed to community members.
“Through our partnership with the Tampa Bay Wave, the USF Muma College of Business, and particularly the Kate Tiedemann School of Business and Finance, has become the destination of choice for fintech entrepreneurs to learn and launch their ventures,” said Gert-Jan de Vreede, interim dean of USF’s Muma College of Business. “Cutting-edge fintech innovations are born and nurtured right here in the heart of St. Petersburg.”
Ultimately, the Accelerator seeks to advance the reputation of St. Petersburg and the Tampa Bay region as an innovative fintech hub.
Beyond the three-month program, selected participants will receive ongoing support through Tampa Bay Wave’s virtual CORE membership, which provides year-round critical mentorship, strategic introductions to investors and customers and other valuable services to further accelerate company development.
"We are thrilled to embark on the next chapter of our strategic partnership with Tampa Bay Wave,” said Michael Wiemer, director of the Fintech Center within the Kate Tiedemann School of Business and Finance. “This unique partnership promotes student success, workforce and economic development, and deep engagement with the business community. Partnering with Tampa Bay Wave supports our broader strategic goal of positioning the Muma College of Business as a hub of excellence for fintech."
This year’s FinTech|X cohort continues the trend of strong founders solving real problems. The founders of the Wave’s newest companies come from accomplished backgrounds, including Oracle, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, Yahoo, Splunk, Northwestern Mutual, UMB Bank, Wells Fargo, GE Capital and more.
"This year's lineup of exceptional cohort participants reflects a significant depth of innovation, expertise and diversity in the fintech sector,” said Richard Munassi, the Accelerator’s managing director at Tampa Bay Wave. “Through this program, we are committed to providing these startups with the support and resources needed to continue to drive their transformative ideas forward and shape the future of financial technology."
The 15 companies participating in the 2023 FinTech|X Accelerator cohort include:
Andeno Co (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
Revolutionizing lending by elevating all aspects from credit assessment to servicing and collections.
Ascent (New York, NY)
Empowering underwriting and diligence teams by digitizing and enhancing workflows with comprehensive data.
Bringo Net (Albany, NY)
Providing the fastest wireless intercontinental links for high-frequency traders through Skywave Technology.
Fitbux (Pflugerville, TX)
Automating personal financial services via AI and data analytics.
Hadley (West Hollywood, CA)
Matching Americans with top-rated 529 education savings plans, enabling seamless contributions.
Jisell (Tampa, FL)
Maximizing the value of gift cards through subscription-based redemption solutions.
KashIO Inc. (Miami, FL)
Transforming payments in Latin America through a service platform to automate payment needs and processed transactions.
Kiddie Kredit (Miami, FL)
Enabling parents and children to learn and experiment with credit before it becomes an issue.
Monark Markets (New York, NY)
Bridging private securities issuers with investors through an innovative trading platform.
OUTFYT (Los Angeles, CA)
A livestream shopping platform dedicated to helping luxury and fashion brands foster deeper engagement and connections with their communities.
Propaga (Miami, FL)
Embedding frictionless capital in the checkout of B2B marketplaces or consumer goods distributors in order to digitize cash transactions between corner stores and their vendors in Latin America.
REITIUM (Vancouver, BC)
Revolutionizing real estate investing with blockchain-powered fractional ownership, backed by compliance assurance and enhanced liquidity through a dedicated exchange.
Saturation (Brandon, FL)
Streamlining financial management in project-driven sectors, starting from film production and expanding across industries.
Tech & Flow (St. Petersburg, FL)
Fusing financial education and digital tools to enhance financial acumen.
Visbanking (Yukon, OK)
Offering real-time visualization of comprehensive bank data across the US, enabling banks and stakeholders to improve performance, increase efficiency and manage risks.
Also supporting this multi-year FinTech|X partnership is the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation and the St. Petersburg Area Economic Development Corporation.
To learn more about the 2023 FinTech|X Accelerator Program, visit: https://www.tampabaywave.org/fintech/