Tampa Bay Wave Selects 13 U.S. and U.K. Startups for 2026 FinTech|X Accelerator

Regions Foundation and USF Muma College of Business Kate Tiedemann School of Business and Finance accelerator brings fintech founders to Tampa Bay, expanding connections across one of the nation's fastest-growing innovation ecosystems

TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As financial technology continues to transform how businesses and consumers manage, move and access money, Tampa Bay Wave has selected 13 startups from the United States and the United Kingdom for its 2026 FinTech|X Accelerator. Accelerated by the Regions Foundation and supported by the University of South Florida (USF) Muma College of Business, the program connects founders with mentors, investors and industry leaders who can help them scale their ventures and expand their impact.

The cohort kicks off the week of Oct. 5, bringing founders to Tampa Bay for an Accelerator designed to connect promising fintech companies with the mentorship, industry expertise, investor relationships and other resources that can help them grow and scale. Earlier this year, Tampa Bay Wave was ranked the No. 3 accelerator in the U.S. and No. 1 in Florida by TIME, reflecting the organization's growing role in supporting high-potential startups and strengthening the region's innovation economy.

“FinTech|X is about connecting talented founders with the people, expertise and opportunities that can help them build and scale successful companies,” said Linda Olson, CEO and founder of Tampa Bay Wave. “In its fifth year, this year’s cohort builds on the momentum we’re seeing across Tampa Bay’s innovation ecosystem by bringing innovative founders from across the U.S. and U.K. into our region and creating opportunities for collaboration that can help these companies grow while strengthening Tampa Bay’s position as a hub for innovation.”

The 2026 cohort will begin engaging with Tampa Bay’s innovation ecosystem at the Bridging The Bay: FinTech|X Accelerator Mixer, hosted by spARK Labs at the ARK Innovation Center on Wednesday, Oct. 7. The program will then formally welcome the cohort during a reception on Thursday, Oct. 8 hosted by CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) in Tampa, providing participating founders with additional opportunities to build relationships with local business leaders, investors and members of the region’s innovation community.

The 13 companies selected for the 2026 FinTech|X Accelerator are developing solutions across a broad range of financial technology sectors, from AI-powered financial intelligence and payments to wealth building, risk management and small business growth.

2026 FinTech|X Accelerator Cohort:

1. Aequi (Ocala, Fla.)
2. Alogram Inc. (San Diego)
3. Beem (San Francisco) 
4. BuildUp (Orlando, Fla.)
5. Flip & Floss (Bridgeport, Conn.) 
6. LinqAlpha (New York)
7. Mili (Wilmington, Del.)
8. Milo (Morgantown, West Virginia)
9. Moola Money (London)
10. PayShore (Riverview, Fla.)
11. PredictQ (Saint Petersburg, Fla.)
12. TradePolaris (London)
13. Zelody (Portland, Ore.) 

Through its Accelerator programs, Tampa Bay Wave helps founders build the relationships, knowledge and access to capital needed to scale innovative companies and create lasting economic impact. To learn more, visit tampabaywave.org/fintech.

About Tampa Bay Wave:

Tampa Bay Wave, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing entrepreneurs with facilitated access to the resources, expertise and capital they need to grow vibrant technology-based companies in Tampa Bay. Since 2013, Tampa Bay Wave has supported more than 670 tech startups that have raised more than $2 billion in capital, created more than 7,600 jobs and completed 34 exits, driving an estimated $450 million in annual economic impact, thanks to grant funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), plus support from its economic development partners Hillsborough County, Pasco County, and the City of Tampa. Tampa Bay Wave also receives support from individuals, corporations and foundations such as: A-LIGN, Appspace, Bank of America, Celestar, Delta Air Lines/Virgin Atlantic Airlines, Florida High Tech Corridor, Foley & Lardner, Justworks, Kuducom, Nielsen Foundation, NextPath Workforce Solutions, Regions Foundation, St. Petersburg College, TECO, Thoropass, the University of South Florida, Vanderbilt Health and others. In 2026, Tampa Bay Wave was ranked the #3 accelerator in the U.S. and #1 in Florida by TIME. For more information, visit tampabaywave.org.

Jack Phillips
Vistra Communications
813-322-2590
jackp@consultvistra.com