Atlanta, October 12, 2025
News Summary
Atlanta has unveiled the Pinnacle Atlanta Innovation Accelerator, a new initiative aimed at supporting local fintech startups with a $500,000 investment. The 12-week program will provide $100,000 each to five selected financial technology companies, offering both crucial funding and mentorship opportunities. The initiative, led by Keena Pierre, aims to enhance economic equity and encourage innovation within the fintech sector, with a public showcase scheduled for January where participants will present their ideas to investors.
Atlanta has launched a new initiative, the Pinnacle Atlanta Innovation Accelerator, to bolster local fintech startups through a significant investment of $500,000. This 12-week program, which will invest $100,000 into each of five selected financial technology companies, aims to provide both financial support and essential mentorship opportunities to founders.
The selected companies from this inaugural cohort were chosen from a competitive pool of over 80 applicants. The chosen startups include the following innovative ventures:
- Billseye: A mobile billing app tailored for service professionals.
- Blended: A financial platform designed to assist divorced and single-parent families.
- Guala: A social point-of-sale system in addition to a merchant wallet intended for micro-sellers.
- LUXE AI: An artificial intelligence system aimed at maximizing credit card rewards for affluent consumers.
- Pagarva: A multilingual point-of-sale platform catering to immigrant-owned businesses.
The accelerator program will be held at The PEER Center in Atlanta, which is committed to improving economic equity and broadening access to opportunities. It is anticipated that a public showcase event will take place in January, allowing participants to pitch their business ideas to a group of investors and community leaders.
Heading the initiative is Keena Pierre, known for her work within the startup ecosystem, with a strong focus on democratizing access to capital and opportunities for under-resourced founders in the Metro Atlanta area. The program is a collaborative effort established by gener8tor, a specialist in running accelerator programs, and Pinnacle Financial Partners, a bank holding firm dedicated to investing in the innovators shaping the future of financial services in Atlanta.
Over 70% of U.S. payment transactions occur in Atlanta, which is often referred to as “Transaction Alley.” This prominent financial landscape underscores the potential for innovation within the fintech industry, promising to advance economic development in the region. Susan Godbee, a financial advisor at Pinnacle, expressed the organization’s pride in supporting initiatives that foster homegrown innovation and uplift communities.
The initiative aims not only to nurture innovation within Atlanta but also to create a pipeline for fintech advancements beyond local boundaries. Community leaders have strongly endorsed the program, highlighting the role of entrepreneurship as a fundamental component of local economic growth.
The accelerator program represents an important step forward in the support of fintech companies, with significant implications for economic development both locally and nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the goal of the Pinnacle Atlanta Innovation Accelerator?
The goal of the Pinnacle Atlanta Innovation Accelerator is to support local fintech startups through a $500,000 investment and to provide mentorship and coaching opportunities to participating founders.
2. How many companies will receive funding?
Five financial technology companies will receive funding, with each company getting $100,000.
3. Where will the accelerator program be conducted?
The program will be conducted at The PEER Center in Atlanta.
4. What happens at the end of the accelerator program?
At the end of the program, there will be a public showcase where participants will pitch their business ideas to investors and community leaders.
5. Who leads the accelerator program?
The accelerator program is led by Keena Pierre, who focuses on democratizing access to capital and opportunities for under-resourced founders.
Key Features of the Pinnacle Atlanta Innovation Accelerator
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Investment | $500,000 total investment |
| Number of Companies | 5 selected fintech startups |
| Funding per Company | $100,000 each |
| Program Duration | 12 weeks |
| Location | The PEER Center, Atlanta |
| Public Showcase | Scheduled for January |
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Additional Resources
- Rough Draft Atlanta: New Accelerator Initiative Invests in Local Financial Tech Startups
- Pinnacle Financial Partners: Gener8tor Launches Pinnacle Atlanta Innovation Accelerator
- Hypepotamus: Pinnacle Atlanta Innovation Accelerator Launches
- AJC: Startup Accelerator Moves to Community-Supported Model
- Wikipedia: Financial Technology
Author: STAFF HERE ATLANTA WRITER
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