By Pamela Cytron, President, The Founders Arena
January 22, 2024
As 2024 kicks into high gear, I’m excited to share the news that The Founders Arena WealthTech Accelerator is opening applications for our second cohort, which will take place over 16 weeks beginning in April 2024. This is a remarkable opportunity for early to growth-stage startups in the WealthTech sector who want to explore what it means to truly accelerate impact and take their business to the next level.
Based in Arlington, Texas, The Founders Arena’s mission is clear - to foster innovation within WealthTech. We are a groundbreaking public-private initiative dedicated to supporting revenue-generating startups that are helping usher in the era of WealthTech.
How The Founders Arena Works with Startups
The Founders Arena WealthTech Accelerator program is tailored for a curated group of startups that have already demonstrated revenue, signaling a strong product-market fit. We assist these carefully selected companies in expanding their annual revenue and facilitating scalable growth. As a point of differentiation from other accelerator programs, The Founders Arena takes a minimal equity stake in the participant companies, increasing as new business opportunities are secured.
Our commitment to entrepreneurs involves exposing them to revenue-generating opportunities with relevant wealth management firms. Through our “VIP Visit” days and other events throughout the program, we facilitate opportunities to engage with influential prospects, buyers, and partnerships. Founders also receive invaluable advice and guidance throughout the program from our vast network of experts in wealth management and our team of former founders, innovation executives, and startup experts.
Why WealthTech? Why Now?
The wealth management landscape is undergoing a profound transformation. We stand at the threshold of the largest intergenerational transfer of wealth in history, with the baby boomer generation set to transfer approximately $84 trillion in assets through 2045. This wealth is transitioning to their Gen X and Millennial heirs, who are seeking a new kind of digital-first experience that was not previously provided. As new companies enter the marketplace, they are creating a new generation of products for these customers - what we call WealthTech 3.0.
WealthTech 3.0 is about more than just managing assets - it's about creating meaningful, efficient, and accessible solutions for modern investors. This transition presents an unparalleled opportunity for startups to offer solutions that cater to the changing landscape of wealth management. It's a chance to be part of something transformative, to innovate, and to contribute to the future of finance.
Entrepreneurs Benefiting Local Community
When you are selected to participate in The Founders Arena, you are doing more than just growing your startup; you are growing the local community of Arlington, Texas. With backing from the City of Arlington, First Rate, Inc., and SEI, our program is designed to have cohorts engage with the local community through mentorship programs, workshops, hackathons, and networking events, contributing to growth and innovation within Arlington.
While Arlington, Texas, may seem like an unconventional location for an accelerator, it offers unique opportunities for companies in financial services. As the birthplace of the world's largest privately held WealthTech company, First Rate, Arlington, and the greater Dallas Metroplex region have become a mecca for WealthTech, attracting major players like Goldman Sachs, Charles Schwab, and Robinhood. Arlington's strategic location, proximity to major international airports, and strong educational institutions make it an ideal hub for companies with global ambitions, which is why we chose it as the location for our accelerator.
Join Us in Shaping WealthTech 3.0
If you are building a product or company that aligns with our mission of shaping the future of WealthTech, we invite you to join us by applying for the second cohort of The Founders Arena WealthTech Accelerator. This is your chance to be part of the future of finance, innovate, and make a meaningful impact on your business and the community. Applications open today and will remain open until March 8th, 2024.
See you in Arlington!
-Pam
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