The University of South Florida Muma College of Business and Tampa Bay Wave will launch a multiyear partnership called the FinTech|X Accelerator, with its first cohort selected in 2022.
The accelerator is designed to help high-potential startups in the financial technology industry through mentoring, pitch coaching and investment training.
“The fintech accelerator will allow our campus to play an active role in the growth of fintech across the Tampa Bay region,” said Gary Patterson, interim director of the Kate Tiedemann School of Business and Finance, one of six schools in the Muma College of Business, in a statement.
The accelerator will focus on helping startup businesses become more sustainable, scalable and profitable.
“This is the first step toward a bigger vision for establishing the Kate Tiedemann School of Business and Finance and this region as a hub of excellence in this exciting field,” said Moez Limayem, the Lynn Pippenger dean of the Muma College of Business, in a release.
The accelerator will accept applications on or before Jan. 1, 2022, from startups throughout the world. If selected for the cohort, startups will participate at no cost and without giving up equity in their companies.
After the 90-day program, companies will have access to an additional six months of mentoring and other resources at no cost.
“The new FinTech|X Accelerator is being created to address the growing demand for innovative fintech solutions and talent by local finance industry giants and the greater Tampa Bay region,” said Tampa Bay Wave CEO Linda Olson in the release.
The accelerator will start in mid-April, with events planned for June 2022. Additionally, entrepreneurs will receive several weeks of classroom training, virtual education opportunities, and one-on-one mentor guidance as their businesses grow beyond the startup stage.
According to the release, cohort companies will participate in a demo day event to a room full of accredited investors and venture capitalists at the end of the program.
