FIS reveals 2021 Fintech Accelerator cohort

Financial technology provider FIS and The Venture Centre have unveiled the 10 companies chosen to participate in the 2021 FIS Fintech Accelerator programme which begins on 7 June.

Now in its sixth year, the FIS Fintech Accelerator program identifies and fosters start-up financial technology firms with “high-potential” technologies that seek to advance payments, banking and investing.

This year, 30% of the cohort features solutions created by women founders, FIS said.

The 10 fintech firms taking part include lenders OakNorth and BankLabs, as well as Bankifi and Railz, both of which specialise in banking-as-a-service.

Credit monitoring fintech Array, authentication/direct deposit start-up AtomicFI, InformedIQ, which focuses on automation, and financial wellness fintech Long Game have also been selected.

Authentication/lending start-up TaxStatus and Vymo, which specialises in customer relationship management, make up the 10 companies participating in the 2021 program which will, once again, be conducted virtually.

The 12-week accelerator programme starting on 7 June is preceded by a four-week programme to prepare company founders to work with FIS and its clients, culminating in a “demo day” on August 26, where each of the firms will demonstrate their refined solutions to financial institutions, potential investors and industry participants.

“The future of fintech will be impacted by innovators that bring forward breakthrough technology ideas that have real-world value for financial services organisations,” said Ariel Mendiola, head of FIS Ventures.

“That’s the spirit of innovation we look for each year in our Accelerator program, and we are seeing it again with this year’s applicants. We congratulate these 10 chosen participants and look forward to working with them as part of the program’s class of 2021.”

Wayne Miller, executive director at The Venture Center, added: “This program has grown immensely in both scope and stature over the past six years, and we are proud to play a pivotal role ushering in a new era of technology alongside the most talented founders in the world.”