Pinnacle Financial Partners, Tarkenton, and gener8tor Launch New FinTech Accelerator in Atlanta for Diverse Founders
On May 15, 2025, in a groundbreaking initiative aimed at fostering inclusivity in the startup ecosystem, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Tarkenton Companies, and gener8tor have announced the launch of a new FinTech accelerator. This program, hosted at the Pinnacle Economic Empowerment Resource (PEER) Center in downtown Atlanta, intends to provide crucial support to underrepresented founders in the fintech space. With an initial investment of $1 million from Pinnacle Financial Partners, this collaboration marks a significant step towards enhancing entrepreneurship in the southeastern United States.
The PEER Center, located at 384 Northyards Blvd, NW, serves as a dedicated hub designed specifically for financial education and business support. It aims to uplift communities that have historically lacked access to essential resources, such as capital and mentorship. Fran Tarkenton, a legendary figure in both sports and business, emphasizes the importance of this initiative. Having spent five decades in business, Tarkenton remarked, "Georgia and Atlanta have been central to my life—from my days as a quarterback to now. This program embodies our mission to help people by fostering the next generation of entrepreneurs and job creators."
The accelerator is set to kick off in the third quarter of 2025, and it will feature a cohort of five high-potential fintech startups led by diverse founders. These selected participants will be chosen based on their vision, innovation, traction, and potential for real-world impact. This unique program aims to provide founders not only with financial backing but also with a peer network, mentorship from industry experts, and other resources to fuel their growth trajectories.
According to Rob Garcia, the Regional President at Pinnacle Financial Partners, "The PEER Center is a vital tool in establishing a local support system that empowers individuals and entrepreneurs, especially those historically excluded from the conversation around capital and business development. Our goal is to facilitate paths to financial independence and the job opportunities that accompany them."
Emily Wykle, the Regional Vice President at gener8tor, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration by stating, "This initiative is about creating a robust platform that enables founders and startups to thrive. We believe that communities prosper when they invest in their top talent. Together with our partners, we are fueling innovation and economic impact in Atlanta."
Pinnacle Financial Partners, known for its full range of banking and investment services, is celebrated as one of the top banks in the Nashville-Murfreesboro-Franklin area and has consistently been recognized as one of the best companies to work for by FORTUNE. The firm has a significant presence in Atlanta, which it expanded to in 2020 by hiring local financial professionals to better serve the community.
Gener8tor, a well-respected accelerator program, has made its mark across the U.S. and internationally by supporting high-growth companies and fostering innovation ecosystems. With a track record of helping companies raise over $2.4 billion and create more than 13,000 jobs, gener8tor is poised to make a substantial impact through this new initiative.
Applications for the inaugural cohort of the accelerator will open in June 2025, inviting interested founders to submit their ventures and join in this transformative journey. This collaborative effort between Pinnacle Financial Partners, Tarkenton Companies, and gener8tor aims to create opportunities for emerging entrepreneurs, fostering the vital growth of the local economy and inclusivity in the fintech landscape. Media representatives are encouraged to join the grand opening of the PEER Center on May 15, 2025, from 4 PM to 8 PM, to explore the new resources available and to meet the key figures involved in this exciting initiative.