North American startups compete to transform the future of fintech with the Visa Everywhere Initiative – TechCrunch
Visa makes its network available to drive inclusive economic growth with the goal of giving everyone, everywhere access to the global economy. This year, Visa has expanded its Visa Everywhere Initiative competition to showcase startups using cryptocurrency and Visa Direct, Visa’s real-time money movement platform, in innovative ways. The finalists are now ready to share their solutions worldwide on TechCrunch.
Stay tuned here on TechCrunch at August 29, 10:00 AM PST / 12:00 PM CT / 1:00 PM ET to see five startup finalists go head-to-head in the Visa Everywhere Initiative North America competition. In front of a panel of industry judges, the finalists will present their innovative solutions. The judges will select an overall winner, as well as a winner for their innovative approach to using Visa Direct. An audience favorite will also be chosen.
- Raffi Kayat of borderless — To pay anyone, anywhere in seconds with easy global bank payments.
- Duy Vo of Productfy — Empowering organizations to become fintechs in a matter of weeks
- Christine De Wendel of Sunday — The fastest digital payment for restaurants and the future of the industry
- Tammy Camp of Stronghold — Provides fast, secure and accessible financial services through a simple API
- Jorge Sun of Lendingfront — Built-in finance solution for small businesses
- Overall winner: $10,000 USD
- Audience favourite: $10,000 USD
- Visa Direct winner: $10,000 USD
- Wade Arnold, Founder and CEO, Moov Financial
- Yu Chuck, Innovation and global digital partnerships
- Edward Galvin, VP, Head of B2B Commercial Sales, Visa Business Solutions North America
- Michael West, VP Solutions Management Global product
- Jennifer AnopolskyVP Global B2B Product Marketing
- Peter Ackerson, General Partner, Fin Capital
The final event in North America will bring together Visa and industry thought leaders and past Visa Everywhere Initiative winners to celebrate their innovative startups and ideas. Dr. Jen Welter, motivational speaker and former NFL coach, returns to the Visa Everywhere Initiative to host the North American Finals. Dr. Welter hosted a fireside chat at the Women’s Special Edition finals competition in March to discuss the impact women can have across industries, including technology. Wade Arnold, Founder and CEO of Moov Financial and the 2021 Visa Everywhere Initiative North America and Global winner will return as a judge. Additionally, Visa’s Nicole Stiller and Shawn Holmes will participate in a fireside chat about why startups want to work with Visa Direct, and Visa’s Patrick Williams will announce the winners.
The Visa Everywhere Initiative North America Finals conclude the North American competitions for the 2022 year following the LGBTQ+, Black Community and Women’s Special Editions held earlier in the year. These competitions highlighted diverse and inclusive founders solving unique problems in the payments world. The overall winner will have the opportunity to compete in the global finals in Qatar in November 2022 alongside overall winners from the regional competitions.
Since its launch in 2015, over 8,500 startups from more than 100 countries have applied to the Visa Everywhere Initiative. These startups have collectively raised more than $16 billion in funding, addressing one of the biggest challenges entrepreneurs face in their early years. Each year, Visa has expanded the Visa Everywhere Initiative to include unique startups solving unique problems in the payments world. This year, they have intentionally focused on reaching a more diverse group of innovators. In the US is Visa Everywhere Initiative 2022 special editions launched Black, Women and LGBTQ+ startups in the spotlight during Black History Month (February 2022), International Women’s Month (March 2022) and Pride Month (June 2022) respectively.
