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Celebrating Diversity in Fintech: Plug and Play's Second Cohort

In a significant step towards fostering financial inclusivity, Plug and Play recently marked the successful completion of its second Inclusive Fintech Accelerator program. This initiative aims to nurture diverse startups focused on developing transformative financial technologies that enhance financial access in underserved communities.

The second cohort kicked off in January 2025, welcoming 13 innovative startups selected from various regions in the United States, including California, Chicago, Florida, New York, and Oklahoma, as well as from Canada, specifically Ontario. Over the span of the program, these startups received unparalleled mentorship tailored to their specific needs, hands-on workshops, and comprehensive business development resources led by industry experts in payments and fintech.

Dominique Reese, the Director of Social Impact at Plug and Play, expressed pride in the cohort's work. She stated, “We’re proud to support this extraordinary group of founders who are tackling some of the most pressing challenges in financial access and inclusion. These startups are not only redefining fintech, but they’re also reshaping the financial futures of the communities they serve.”

The culmination of the program was celebrated with an in-person Expo during the Silicon Valley Summit on June 11, 2025. The event attracted investors, corporate partners, and fintech leaders, providing an excellent platform for the cohort's startups to showcase their innovations. The diverse range of fintech areas on display included solutions for money movement, consumer banking and lending, buy now, pay later options, and embedded finance.

Throughout the program, Plug and Play facilitated over 300 critical connections, helping these startups engage with major financial institutions, corporations, and potential investors. This groundwork is essential for establishing future partnerships and securing investments that can help these innovative companies scale effectively.

Meet the Emerging Startups

Among the 13 startups that successfully graduated from the second cohort, a few noteworthy innovators include:

• - Arro: This platform gamifies financial health by utilizing AI to guide users in credit management through goal setting and educational resources.
• - PartnerSpace: An AI-driven solution that streamlines the process of forging high-value partnerships for businesses.
• - Foode: A mobile-first platform transforming dining experiences into profitable opportunities for both consumers and establishments.
• - Lifehub (Electus): A unique Learn-to-Earn Super App that combines financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and career readiness with income-generating tools.
• - Lipaworld: Designed for the global African diaspora, this platform enables users to earn, spend, and send money using a digital voucher marketplace alongside a P2P Stablecoin wallet.
• - Uplinq: This tool harnesses AI insights and extensive data sources to assist small business lenders in making informed credit decisions.

Despite the challenges faced in the financial sector today, the achievements of this cohort follow the success of the first cohort, which witnessed a startup securing a commercial deal within six months of completion, six firms integrating essential financial literacy resources, and more than $4 million raised in funding.

The results from both cohorts signpost a promising future, reinforcing Plug and Play's mission to empower diverse founders working towards an inclusive financial ecosystem. Moving forward, interests in the outcomes of this program will continue to grow as more stakeholders recognize the importance of diversity and innovation in fintech.

To learn more about this impactful initiative, visit Plug and Play's Inclusive Fintech Accelerator.

About Plug and Play

Headquartered in Silicon Valley, Plug and Play is a leading innovation platform that connects startups, corporations, and various entities globally. The organization accelerates the growth of over 2,500 startups each year and has become a trusted partner in numerous successful innovations, including notable companies like Dropbox and PayPal. For additional details, visit Plug and Play Headquarters.