Celebrating Success: NJ FAST's Inaugural Graduating Class of Startups
The New Jersey Fintech Accelerator at Stevens Institute of Technology, powered by Plug and Play, recently celebrated a significant milestone with the graduation of 14 promising startups. This inaugural cohort is a testament to New Jersey's commitment to fostering innovation in the fintech sector.
Earlier this year, Plug and Play, alongside key partners such as the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), Prudential Financial, and the Stevens Institute of Technology, announced the launch of this ambitious program, dubbed NJ FAST. The goal is to cultivate the state's financial innovation ecosystem and empower startups that drive technological advancements in finance.
In comments reflecting on the program's importance, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy emphasized the transformative nature of this initiative. “Over the past seven years, we have transformed New Jersey’s innovation economy, firmly positioning our state as a national leader in this space,” he noted, highlighting the significance of partnerships that spur entrepreneurship and support cutting-edge ideas.
The NJ FAST program is strategically aligned with New Jersey's historical strengths in finance and aims to support innovative companies while creating fresh career opportunities in the burgeoning fintech domain. Saeed Amidi, CEO of Plug and Play, shared a vision for the program’s long-term impact on the state's entrepreneurial landscape. “This initiative is about embedding a culture of innovation in New Jersey and providing startups the resources they need to transform their ideas into reality,” he stated.
For the startups involved, NJ FAST offers a host of valuable resources, including mentorship, funding opportunities, and access to Plug and Play's extensive network of corporate, government, investor, and academic partners. This connectivity not only provides essential insights but also opens doors for strategic partnerships crucial for growth and development.
Tim Sullivan, CEO of NJEDA, stressed that the initiative is part of a broader strategy aimed at ensuring that the companies of the future have access to world-class resources. He expressed pride in NJ FAST’s successful inaugural cohort, noting its potential to create jobs and attract top talent to the state.
The 14 graduate startups include:
- - DIRO: An original document capture platform with global coverage.
- - Physis Investments: Utilizes AI to offer sustainability insights through a SaaS platform.
- - SPIN Analytics: Applies predictive analytics and AI for digital transformation in credit risk management.
- - Balcony Technology Group: Offers a blockchain-based solution for the real estate sector, focusing on security and automation.
- - Intergen DATA: Develops AI algorithms to predict life events and their financial impacts.
- - Muse Tax: An AI tool that finds tax deductions and credits for users.
- - Multimodal: Automates complex workflows in banking and healthcare using generative AI.
- - bckers: Delivers analytical tools to assess organizational performance and risk.
- - Hydronos Labs: Provides weather and climate risk assessment tools utilizing comprehensive data.
- - LexFund: A marketplace specifically for the litigation finance industry.
- - Synthera.ai: Uses generative AI to create realistic financial scenarios for investors.
- - Mobysign: A mobile application focused on secure transactions and document signatures.
- - CurraPay: Aims to redefine the international money transfer sector.
- - Accern: Empowers users to extract valuable insights from unstructured data through its NoCodeNLP platform.
With applications for the second batch of NJ FAST now open until January 6th, 2025, interest continues to grow, underscoring the program’s relevance in today’s evolving fintech landscape. For more details about NJ FAST and its upcoming initiatives, visit the official Plug and Play website.
This inaugural cohort marks just the beginning for NJ FAST as it endeavors to not only foster innovation but also secure New Jersey’s position as a leader in the fintech industry. As the startups progress, their journey will likely inspire future entrepreneurs eager to make their mark in the burgeoning world of financial technology.