10 startup firms selected for Venture Center’s FinTech Accelerator

FinanceStartups / Technology

by Talk Business & Politics staff ([email protected]) May 2, 2019 10:07 am 628 views 

Ten startup companies from across the U.S. and Canada have been selected to participate in the fourth version of Venture Center’s FinTech Accelerator program, which is sponsored by Jacksonville, Fla.-based Fortune 500 financial tech firm Fidelity Information Services (FIS) and run by the Little Rock nonprofit startup incubator.

Venture Center officials said the 2019 program, which was unveiled Wednesday (May 1) evening during a ceremony at the Little Rock Technology Park, received 225 applications from fintech companies across the U.S. and 31 other countries.

The early stage companies in this year’s cohort will participate in a rigorous 12-week program designed to accelerate the development of their financial innovations, officials said. Each company will also receive in-depth mentoring and training from FIS and The Venture Center as well as a monetary investment.

“We are excited to welcome these ten startups to our accelerator program and eager to see the technology they will bring to market in the months and years ahead,” said Bruce Lowthers, COO for FIS’, Integrated Financial Services group. “The pace of fintech innovation continues to accelerate, placing ever more importance on creative ideas and new solutions. The FIS Fintech Accelerator program is about bringing that innovation to life.”

Last year, the chosen companies each were given $75,000, with the potential to earn an additional $100,000 to $300,000.

The program, which was first introduced in 2016, will culminate with a Demo Day on July 17 where top executives from each company will make 15-minute “pitches” to dozens of investors, financial services executives and business leaders — hoping to attract new venture capital or partnerships with larger banks or investment groups.

Companies from the three previous accelerator programs have gained impressive traction since last year, gaining Series A capital investments, endorsements from the American Bankers Association and partnerships with FIS and other banks

“Our selection process combined with the extraordinary resources that FIS and the state have dedicated to this program is what has made this program a success,” said Wayne Miller, executive director of The Venture Center. “We’re grateful for the continued collaboration with the FIS team and are excited to be kicking off the fourth program this year.”

Listed are the 10 startup companies selected for this year’s class.

  • Digital Onboarding, Boston, Mass.
  • Gremlin Social, St. Louis, Mo.
  • Sendmi, Lehi, Utah
  • ChangeEd, Chicago, Ill.
  • Voleo, Vancouver, Canada
  • Neener Analytics, Sunnyvale, Calif.
  • Genivity, Chicago, Ill.
  • Curu, Charlotte, N.C.
  • Highside, Bethesda, Md.
  • Mimble, Portland, Ore.