Fintech is making significant strides in Arkansas, and those efforts are being recognized on the international stage. The Venture Center has been nominated for the first-ever Finovate Awards in the “Best Fintech Accelerator/Incubator” category.
The “Best FinTech Accelerator/Incubator category recognizes an accelerator that “consistently nutures quality fintech companies and helps them on their journey.” When choosing the winning organization, the judges will be considering factors such as the market performance of the accelerators’ alumni and testimonials from participants.
Since its founding in 2015, the Venture Center has worked to accelerate the trajectory of startups and early-stage companies. Most notably, the Venture Center has partnered with prominent financial institutions on two fintech accelerators – the FIS FinTech Accelerator and the ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator.
The Venture Center concluded the fourth FIS FinTech Accelerator in July. Applications for the second ICBA accelerator recently opened.
“It’s an incredible honor to be one of only six finalists for an award of this magnitude,” said Wayne Miller, Executive Director of the Venture Center. “The Venture Center’s partnerships with the State of Arkansas; FIS, the world’s largest fintech; and the ICBA, the US’s largest community bank association have been critical to our continued growth and we’re grateful for the opportunity to help provide solutions where technology is pivotal in the quest to help our stakeholders and partners. Being a finalist for this award shows the world that Little Rock, Arkansas is truly blazing a path for fintech innovation on a global scale.”
According to Brian Bauer, Managing Director of the Venture Center accelerators, the organization has impacted 48 companies since beginning its programs.
“We’re proud to have worked with our 48 alumni companies to accelerate their solutions to market,”he said. “We’re also proud of the programs our team has built and we will continue to accelerate innovation in the financial services industry. We’re excited to see what the future holds for fintech.”
In addition to its own nomination, two of the Venture Center’s accelerator alumni have been nominated for Finovate Awards. Both BOND.AI and Neener Analytics have been selected as finalists for the “Best Use of AI/ML” category, which recognizes a company that is “using artificial intelligence/machine-learning technology to the greatest effect, creating new capabilities that are only possible through AI/ML.”
The Finovate Awards will be held September 24, 2019, at the Edison Ballroom in New York City.
Click here to learn more or reserve a spot.
READ MORE: Applications Open for Second ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator