Techstars & Western Union Accelerator Announce 2020 Class Leading the Future of Inclusive Finance
14.7.2020 15:30:00 EEST | Business Wire | Press release
Western Union (NYSE: WU), a leader in cross-border, cross-currency money movement, and Techstars, the global platform for investment and innovation, today announced the launch of its second class of the Techstars & Western Union Accelerator. From machine learning and artificial intelligence, to cloud services, digital banking and advanced analytics, the common thread across the portfolio of 10 companies is their commitment to leveraging technology and innovation to create greater access to global and local economies, through inclusive finance.
The 2020 Accelerator companies are led by founders originating from across the world, including the Philippines, Egypt, Gambia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Israel, Nigeria, Singapore, Spain, South Africa and the United States. They share Western Union’s commitment to inclusive innovation by developing products and services that accelerate access for a more equitable global financial system.
The concept of financial access served as the North Star throughout the 2020 Accelerator selection process, as program leaders contemplated the question: In the face of a global health crisis, which companies are best positioned to accelerate and expand financial access in a post-COVID world?
The startup founders will participate in an intensive 13-week virtual program during which they will focus on growing and evolving their companies with the mentorship, entrepreneurial expertise, business strategy and marketing guidance of fintech subject matter experts in a range of areas, including compliance, mobile wallets and settlement.
“The Western Union team is tremendously impressed with this diverse group of founders and entrepreneurs who are actively addressing challenges across the financial services ecosystem,” said Western Union President of Product and Platform, Shelly Swanback. “I am confident that the breadth of perspective, experience and technologies represented in this year’s portfolio will drive us to be even more disruptive as we endeavor to develop more inclusive financial services and payment technologies in a rapidly changing global economy.”
Swanback added, “I am especially proud of the fact that many of the companies in the accelerator are led by founders from many different countries, which nicely reflects the global diversity of our employee, customer and partner base. A global lens is critical as we look to create opportunities for billions of people to access the latest innovations in finance, innovate opportunities for businesses and customers, and help close the growing inequality gap.”
According to the New American Economy, a U.S.-based bipartisan research and advocacy organization focused on federal, state, and local immigration policies, in 2019 approximately 45% of Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or their children.
“We are proud to announce the companies selected to participate in the 2020 Techstars & Western Union Accelerator,” said Ethan Austin, Managing Director of the Techstars Western Union Accelerator. “Each of these companies is tackling systemic industry obstacles with innovative and original solutions using leading edge technologies. We are excited to support their continued growth over the next 13 weeks of our program and beyond.”
The 2020 Techstars & Western Union Accelerator will culminate with a Demo Day on Oct. 8, where startup founders will pitch their products and services to potential investors. This year, the program has shifted from an in-person to virtual program due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since 2006, Techstars has worked with more than 2,000 startups, forging deep and meaningful relationships between young startup companies and global corporations. The competitive selection process for the Techstars & Western Union Accelerator began in early 2020 with hundreds of entrepreneurs vying for one of 10 coveted spots.
Techstars and Western Union extend a hearty congratulations and a warm welcome to the 2020 Techstars & Western Union Accelerator companies.
|
2020 Techstars Western Union Accelerator Roster
|
||||
|
AidBanc Little Rock, AR | USA and LA
AidBanc empowers NGOs with digital banking and spend management tools to seamlessly disburse aid in an increasingly cashless world.
|
Plentina San Francisco, CA | USA Cloud services provide alternative credit scoring and lending for global financial inclusion. |
|||
|
Gig Wage Dallas, TX | USA Gig Wage is a payments platform specializing in independent contractors. Their technology makes it simple, fast and easy to pay, manage, and support contractors. |
Rise Capital Lagos, Nigeria A technology-driven finance company connecting everyday Africans with the best dollar-denominated investment opportunities around the world. |
|||
|
Heights Labs New York, NY | USA AI and network analytics platform for risk, fraud, compliance, and AML/CFT to mitigate risks and threats across the compliance, intelligence, and national security landscape. |
Robbie AI Boston, MA | USA Facial recognition technology through real-time streaming in natural settings. |
|||
|
Line San Francisco, CA | USA
AI-powered technology helps qualified and banked individuals establish credit and access to affordable financial services.
|
Vested Finance Berkeley, CA | USA Investment advisory platform promoting sustainable wealth creation by empowering local Indian investors to go global. |
|||
|
Logicluster San Francisco, CA | USA An Artificial Intelligence powered pricing engine to enable businesses to grow revenue through optimized pricing. |
Yunit Oakland, CA | USA Allows users to save money with their friends. |
|||
WU-G
About Techstars
Techstars is a global platform for investment and innovation. Techstars founders connect with other entrepreneurs, experts, mentors, alumni, investors, community leaders, and corporations to grow their companies. Techstars operates three divisions: Techstars Mentorship-Driven Accelerator Programs, Techstars Corporate Innovation Partnerships, and Techstars Community. Techstars accelerator portfolio includes more than 2,200 companies with a market cap of more than $26 billion. www.techstars.com
About Western Union
The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a global leader in cross-border, cross-currency money movement and payments. Our omnichannel platform connects the digital and physical worlds and makes it possible for consumers and businesses to send and receive money and make payments with speed, ease, and reliability. As of March 31, 2020, our network included over 550,000 retail agent locations offering our branded services in more than 200 countries and territories, with the capability to send money to billions of accounts.
Additionally, westernunion.com, our fastest growing channel in 2019, is available in over 75 countries, plus additional territories, to move money around the world. With our global reach, Western Union moves money for better, connecting family, friends, and businesses to enable financial inclusion and support economic growth. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com.
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200714005456/en/
Contact information
Western Union
Margaret Fogarty
+1 720-551-3393
Margaret.Fogarty@wu.com
Techstars
Ali Donnermeyer
Ali.Donnermeyer@techstars.com
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Braun Launches the Next Generation of Electric Shaver With Braun NEVO Introducing a New Dawn of Smooth Touch2.7.2026 09:00:00 EEST | Press release
With over 100 years of exceptional German craftsmanship, Braun introduces Braun NEVO, an electric shaver redefining what a close shave and smooth skin mean. Every element has been reimagined: the sleek unibody stainless steel handle, the revolutionary AeroTouch™ Technology and advanced personalized display deliver a perfectly close shave without sacrificing comfort. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260701842080/en/ Braun NEVO Shaver Oliver Grabes, Braun Head of Design, said: “At Braun, we set out to reimagine the shaving experience which led to the development of AeroTouch™ Shaving Technology, a cutting system engineered for ultra-low friction on the skin and high efficiency. This makes Braun NEVO our best shaver* setting a new standard for smooth skin.” Introducing the revolutionary world’s first AeroTouch™ Technology, featuring 250 diamond-sharp cutting edges and an exclusive Ultra gliding foil for a smooth g
Brenus Pharma Strengthens Its Governance With Designation of a New President and Appointment of Former Novo Nordisk EVP as Independent Member2.7.2026 09:00:00 EEST | Press release
Brenus Pharma, today announced key appointments to its board of directors. The company welcomes Eric DESSERTENNE, as President & Chairman of the board, succeeding co-founder Jacques GARDETTE, who will remain an active board member. Eric brings extensive experience in healthcare innovation and value creation, having notably led BIOCORP through its development and acquisition by Novo Nordisk. Brenus also appoints Camilla SYLVEST, as a second independent director, following the earlier addition of Diala EZZEDDINE a seasoned US-based biotech executive and entrepreneur. Camilla SYLVEST is an experienced pharmaceutical executive and global business leader, having spent nearly three decades at Novo Nordisk A/S, where she most recently served as Executive Vice President for Global Commercial Strategy, Corporate Communication and Sustainability. She currently serves on the Boards of Argenx SE, Getinge AB, and Zealand Pharma A/S, and has previously served on the Board of Danish Crown A/S and as
Access Advance and Alibaba Announce Alibaba's Expanded Participation in the VDP Pool2.7.2026 03:00:00 EEST | Press release
Access Advance LLC and Alibaba Group today announced that Alibaba has joined the Access Advance Video Distribution Patent Pool (VDP Pool) as a Licensee, securing a license to the pool's comprehensive coverage of HEVC, VVC, VP9, and AV1 codec technologies. The announcement marks a milestone in a multi-year collaboration between the two companies that spans the VVC Advance Patent Pool, where Alibaba participates as both a Licensor and Licensee, and the VDP Pool, where Alibaba joined as a Licensor in 2025. Alibaba's subsidiary Youku, one of China's leading streaming platforms, also joined the VDP Pool as a Licensee in 2025. Alibaba operates one of the world's most diverse video ecosystems, spanning a wide range of video-based services across e-commerce, entertainment, and digital media. As video has become central to how consumers shop, communicate, and access entertainment, the breadth of Alibaba's video operations reflects the kind of business model complexity the VDP Pool was designed
Vertex Announces US FDA Approval for Expanded Use of CASGEVY ® for the Treatment of People Ages 2 Years and Older With Sickle Cell Disease or Transfusion-Dependent Beta Thalassemia2.7.2026 02:58:00 EEST | Press release
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq: VRTX) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved expanded use of CASGEVY® (exagamglogene autotemcel) for the treatment of people ages 2 years and older with either sickle cell disease (SCD) with recurrent vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs) or transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia (TDT). CASGEVY is the first approved genetic therapy indicated for children as young as 2 years for both SCD and TDT. “Just as we redefined what is possible in cystic fibrosis, our ambition is to transform the future for people living with sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia. The remarkable consistency of results across age groups reinforces the potential of CASGEVY to deliver durable, transformative benefits to those who have historically had limited options,” said Reshma Kewalramani, M.D., Chief Executive Officer and President, Vertex. “We’re deeply grateful to the patients, families and investigators who pa
Robinhood Chooses Morpho to Power New Earn Product1.7.2026 22:15:00 EEST | Press release
Morpho, the open blockchain-based credit network, today announced it will power Robinhood’s new Earn product, enabling Robinhood's millions of eligible users more options to earn yield onchain via a self-custody wallet, directly within the Robinhood app. The product will roll out progressively to Robinhood's US customer base over the coming weeks. The Robinhood Earn product aims to provide risk-adjusted yield on idle balances using USDG, a dollar-pegged stablecoin. Morpho serves as the underlying credit network, Steakhouse Financial curates the vault infrastructure supporting the product, and Robinhood Chain acts as the settlement layer. The product is delivered through a seamless experience in the Robinhood app. Morpho operates as an open network on the blockchain. Lenders and borrowers compete in real time, helping create more efficient markets and enabling financial products with better rates and terms for users. USDG supplied through Robinhood Earn is deposited into a Morpho Vault
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom