TAMPA, Fla. – August 12, 2025 – Tampa Bay Wave, in partnership with the University of South Florida’s Muma College of Business, launches the highly anticipated 2025 FinTech|X Accelerator, a nationally recognized program that supports high-growth fintech startups from across the U.S. and beyond. 

Now in its fourth year, the FinTech|X Accelerator has become a premier launchpad for high-potential, early-stage fintech companies. Startups that have participated in the program have collectively raised over $300 million in funding and generated over $60 million in revenue. Notable alumni include Paperstack, Viva Finance and Ascent.   

Backed by leading financial institutions and fintech experts, the accelerator is designed to help startups accelerate growth, attract investment and scale innovative solutions that are reshaping the future of finance. 

The 2025 cohort, officially kicked off on Aug. 4, brings together an elite group of startups that are reimagining banking, payments, blockchain, wealthtech, crypto and more. Selected companies will participate in an intensive 8-week program that includes mentoring from industry leaders, investor connections, pitch opportunities and curated programming aimed at accelerating success. 

2025 FinTech|X Accelerator Accepted Companies: 

• Artificial Intelligence Risk – Greenwich, CT – https://www.aicrisk.com/  
• Catch It – Atlanta, GA – https://www.didyoucatchit.com/  
• Congruit Inc. – St. Petersburg, FL – https://congruitcredit.com  
• Cove – Toronto, ON – https://cove.dev/  
• Cyder Inc. – Toronto, ON – https://www.getcyder.com/  
• HappiNest.AI – St. Petersburg, FL – https://happinest.ai/  
• Nuuvia – Portland, OR – https://nuuvia.com/  
• Odynn – New York, NY – https://www.odynn.com/ 
• Oink – San Diego, CA – https://oinkcrypto.com/ 
• Payfinia, Inc. – Portland, OR – https://payfina.com/  
• Rely – Reno, NV – http://relyestate.com/  
• TAANGapp – New York, NY – https://www.tanggapp.com/  

 Dr. Richard Munassi MD MBA, Tampa Bay Wave Accelerator and CORE Program Managing Director states, “This year’s FinTech|X cohort is one of our strongest and most exciting groups to date. These founders are not only addressing key issues in Enterprise, SMB, and consumer finance through their innovative technologies, they truly are strong founders with incredible backgrounds solving real problems.” 

Their academic backgrounds include The University of San Diego, Oxford, University of 

California-Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, 

Harvard Kennedy School of Business, Brown, Dartmouth College, Cornell, Stanford, McGill 

University, Northeastern, Tufts, Boston University, Texas A&M, Univ. of London, The Australian National University, University of Colorado, Syracuse University, Boise State University, Georgia Tech, and the University of Central Florida. 

They have worked for some of the largest businesses and organizations in the world, including the US National Ski Team, the US Navy, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, United Health Group, GE capital, Citi, Boy Scouts of America, the US Department of Commerce, 

Salesforce, Neo Financial, Scotiabank, Deloitte, Accenture, LinkedIn, CIBC, PwC, Merrill Lynch, RBC, BNP Paribas, AQR Capital Management, Tower Hills Capital, General Motors, Apple, Amazon, Walmart, United Nations, McKinsey, and more.  

“They are serial entrepreneurs with exits, former executives for financial institutions large and small, professors, and students,” Munassi continued. “All of us at Wave are tremendously proud and humbled to have these founders and their companies joining our portfolio and look forward to helping by being the fuel for their rocket ships, now and into the future.”  

Powered by the USF Muma College of Business, the U.S. E.D.A., Shumaker LLP, and NIX, the FinTech|X Accelerator leverages the university’s world-class faculty, research and business networks to give participating startups a distinct competitive edge. 

“We are proud to partner with Tampa Bay Wave to generate innovation and nurture the ecosystem of collaboration through the Fintech X|Accelerator program,” said David Blackwell, Lynn Pippenger Dean of the USF Muma College of Business. “This year’s impressive startups bring bright ideas, strong qualifications, and exceptional potential, and we look forward to supporting their growth.” 

To learn more about the FinTech|X Accelerator, visit https://www.tampabaywave.org/fintech/. 

ABOUT TAMPA BAY WAVE: TAMPA BAY WAVE, Florida’s #1 Accelerator, whose mission is to help tech entrepreneurs transform innovative ideas into real-world solutions and scalable businesses.  As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that takes no equity from the entrepreneurs we support, we are accelerating Florida’s innovation-driven economy by supporting business growth, job creation, and capital attraction. Since 2013, we’ve nurtured more than 600 startups, building a dynamic innovation ecosystem. Our efforts have been a catalyst for economic prosperity, impacting local, national and global communities. Bolstered by a robust network of mentors, investors, plus partners, and sustained through sponsorships, grants and passionate community backing, we are built for founders, fueled by the community. Tampa Bay Wave also receives major support from our economic development partners: the U.S. Economic Development Administration, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Hillsborough County, and the City of Tampa, as well as from academia, corporations and foundations, including: A-LIGN, Appspace, Bank of America, Celestar, Delta Air Lines/Virgin Atlantic Airlines, EY, Florida High Tech Corridor, Insight Assurance, Foley & Lardner, Kuducom, Nielsen Foundation, NextPath Career Partners, TECO, Thoropass and the University of South Florida, among others.  Learn more at tampabaywave.org.

 

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA: The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida.  U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion.  USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu. 

This achievement reflects more than just numbers – it represents the culmination of our commitment to being “By Entrepreneurs, For Entrepreneurs.” But our impact extends beyond the startup community. We are equally proud to be “By Community, For Community,” working hand-in-hand with local leaders, mentors, and partners who share our vision of making Tampa Bay a premier destination for innovation and entrepreneurship.

As we celebrate this remarkable milestone, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our community leaders who continue to champion our mission. Your unwavering support and dedication have been instrumental in creating an environment where startups can thrive and scale. This success belongs not just to Tampa Bay Wave, but to our entire ecosystem of visionary entrepreneurs, dedicated mentors, and passionate community supporters.

Together, we’re not just building successful companies – we’re fostering an innovation ecosystem that drives economic growth and creates opportunities across Tampa Bay. This billion-dollar milestone is just the beginning of what we can achieve as a community united in support of entrepreneurial excellence.

Jane Castor, Mayor, City of Tampa

Rhea Law, President, University of South Florida

Ken Welch, Mayor, City of St. Petersburg

Bemetra Simmons, President & CEO, Tampa Bay Partnership

Brian Auld, President, Tampa Bay Rays

Meghan O’Keefe, Executive Director, Tampa Bay Tech

Craig Richard, President & CEO, Tampa Bay Economic Development Council

Santiago Corrada, President & CEO, Visit Tampa Bay

Dr. Cynthia Johnson, Director of Economic Development, Pinellas County Economic Development

Scott Price, CEO, A-LIGN

Andrea Bertel, President & Executive Director, Grantmaking, Nielsen Foundation

Stu Sjouwerman, CEO, KnowBe4

Tony DiBenedetto, Founder, Think Big For Kids

Alison Barlow, Executive Director, St. Pete Innovation District

Allen Clary, Executive Director, USF Nault Center For Entrepreneurship

Alfred Goldberg, President, Absolute Marketing Solutions