Seattle, WA — The North American Fintech Coalition (NAFC) and the Center for Accelerating Financial Equity (CAFE) are working together to expand access to early-stage fintech innovation for credit unions and community banks. Both organizations support a financial ecosystem that works better for all —backing fintech founders that have products to improve people’s lives and building bridges to financial institutions eager for innovation to better serve their members and customers.
CAFE supports mission-driven fintech startups that are ready to scale, through its nationally recognized Fintech Accelerator. This immersive bi-annual, two-month program provides:
● Direct access to financial institutions and investors
● Expert-led sessions and pitch opportunities
● Strategic guidance to scale responsibly and inclusively
● A values-driven peer community of like-minded founders
The accelerator helps startups navigate complex industry challenges and prepares them for long-term success in financial services.
NAFC curates a diverse and growing coalition of early-stage fintechs, many led by LGBTQ+, women, veterans, African American, and Hispanic entrepreneurs. The coalition provides:
● Strategic introductions to credit unions, community banks, and impact-focused investors
● National exposure through showcases, events, and publications
● Ongoing support that helps startups scale and integrate into the financial services ecosystem
By focusing on intentional relationship-building and capital access, NAFC helps ensure these startups are not only seen—but positioned to grow and thrive.
Several fintechs that participated in CAFE’s accelerator—including Parlay Finance, Muse Tax, and Prismm—have gone on to join the NAFC community. This collaboration illustrates a shared commitment to supporting early-stage founders to distribute their products with real institutional partnerships.
Together, CAFE and NAFC are:
● Supporting fintechs across their growth journey—from early partnerships to institutional engagement
● Sharing networks, opportunities, and platforms that amplify mission-driven founders and connect them to decision-makers
● Helping credit unions and community banks discover high-impact fintech solutions that reflect the communities they serve
● Fostering inclusive innovation by creating a robust, values-aligned pipeline for fintech growth
This collaboration ensures that promising founders don’t just launch — they sustain, scale, and succeed with the right partners by their side.
For more information visit NAFC: https://www.namfintech.org and CAFE: https://ftcafe.org
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