Tampa Bay Welcomes Next Wave of FinTech Innovation

Strong accelerator programs begin with more than introductions. They give founders early access to the relationships and regional knowledge that can help companies grow. That work began Oct. 8, Tampa Bay Wave welcomed 13 U.S. and U.K. companies to the 2026 FinTech|X Accelerator Welcome Reception at CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen)’s downtown Tampa office.

The reception followed Wave’s “Bridging the Bay” event in St. Petersburg the night before, carrying that spirit of regional connection into the start of the FinTech|X program. The back-to-back events created an opportunity to connect the new cohort with Tampa Bay’s growing innovation ecosystem from the very start. 

During the reception, each founder introduced themselves and shared a look at what they are building. The evening also gave founders an opportunity to begin forming relationships with fellow cohort members and connect with members of Tampa Bay’s broader business and innovation community.

Guests heard from April Grajales of Regions Bank (on behalf of Regions Foundation), Dean David Blackwell of USF Muma College of Business and Gretchen Whalen of CLA, reflecting the range of organizations helping create opportunities for entrepreneurs to connect, learn and grow.

That mix of founders, financial institutions, higher education and professional expertise is an important part of a healthy entrepreneurial ecosystem. Bringing those perspectives into the same room can open doors to new relationships and help growing companies establish meaningful connections in the region.

For Tampa Bay, the cohort represents an opportunity to deepen connections with fintech founders from well beyond the region and introduce them to the people and organizations building alongside entrepreneurs here.

Thank you to CLA for hosting the reception, and to Regions Foundation, USF Muma College of Business and the many members of the innovation ecosystem who helped welcome this year’s FinTech|X founders to Tampa Bay.

The introductions made in downtown Tampa were only the beginning. Over the coming weeks, these founders will continue building relationships, refining their companies and preparing to share their progress at Pitch Night on Nov. 19.