By Matthew Cimitile, University Communications and Marketing
Both businesses and universities are grappling with the disruptive nature of fintech that is rapidly transforming industries such as banking, investment and insurance.
Which is why business leaders across Tampa Bay came together to engage with USF faculty about fintech research, academic programs and how emerging concepts and technologies from the evolving field could further assist business operations.
More than 20 business executives from companies such as Microsoft, Raymond James, Accenture, Citigroup, Dynasty Financial and DTCC attended “The Future of USF Fintech” luncheon organized by the Fintech Center at the Kate Tiedemann School of Business and Finance. During the event on September 12, five professors delivered short presentations on cutting-edge research and training the next generation of leaders in the field.
“We’ve recruited an impressive team of fintech faculty over the past few years. Our goal was to introduce our faculty to the business community through the lens of their market-leading research and teaching,” said Michael Wiemer, director of USF’s FinTech Center. “This forum allowed us to showcase our research, while exploring and co-creating the future of fintech with the business community. The exchange of ideas was exciting to witness.”
In addition to the future of fintech, the talks covered:
- Shaping fintech leadership through new academic programs and global partnerships
- Unlocking market insights with AI and big data
- Using machine learning to measure corporate cultural values
- Finance research and investment decisions in the era of AI
The event addressed a major focus of the USF FinTech Center: engaging the business community to collaboratively envision and create the future of fintech for Tampa Bay and beyond. The event was received positively by those in attendance.
After the presentations, USF faculty and business leaders engaged in lively conversations.
“What USF is doing with its Fintech Center is new and adaptive,” said Peter Marks, director of technology for the Technology Risk and Assurance, IT Globalization Program at Raymond James. “Future graduates will be ready to lead and provide solutions to the increasingly complex challenges of business in the information age. I personally look forward to watching this program flourish, and supporting as best as I can.”
Fintech education and programming is growing at USF as rapidly as the field is evolving. This growth was spurred by a transformational $14 million gift from Kate Tiedemann and Ellen Cotton back in 2022, which has supported the university's vision in becoming a “hub of excellence” in fintech.
Earlier this year, the Muma College of Business launched an online certificate program that teaches about the dynamic world of fintech. The eight-week program provides a non-technical, foundational understanding of fintech and its impact on the future of business for students, entrepreneurs and working professionals.
A multiyear partnership between the Muma College of Business and Tampa Bay Wave is assisting high-potential, high-growth startups in the industry through mentoring, pitch coaching and investment training. The FinTech|X Accelerator has worked with nearly 40 startups to transition them into sustainable, scalable and profitable businesses. A new cohort starts next month.
And both undergraduate and master’s degree in fintech will be available for USF students in the coming years.
"Fintech is one of the most positively disruptive and transformative forces of business today. The USF Fintech Center is working to become a hub of excellence in education, research and innovation to empower business professionals to use these emerging resources, and to become the leading university-based center of its kind,” said David W. Blackwell, the Lynn Pippenger dean of USF’s Muma College of Business.
The center plans to continue the dialogue with the business community, with the goal of future collaborations with companies on workforce development and research projects.
“This event brought together a great representation of prominent players in the industry,” said Kassandra Patatanes, assistant program director of USF’s FinTech Center. “It was a diverse mix of companies and leaders that we hope will further bridge the academic and business worlds.”