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FinTech + AI 413

Startup Launch Series

Dive into the world of FinTech with WNE University’s FinTech 413 Startup Program! Whether you’re a college student or a budding entrepreneur in MA, you can seize this unique opportunity to bring your startup ideas to life.

With expert coaching, high-performance computing resources, and access to funding, your entrepreneurial dreams are within reach. Immerse yourself in our region’s rich FinTech ecosystem and join the WNE the College of Business’s FinTech Incubator (FTI) high-performance computing cluster. You’ll receive personalized training by WNE faculty, corporate partners, and local nonprofits to secure funding and incentives such as prize money and access to investors.

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Program Series Details


Info Session

Thursday, February 27, 2025

Learn more about this series and get your questions answered. You will also hear from some past participants.


Idea Jam

Thursday, February 27, 2025

Bring your big ideas and questions, and our expert facilitators will help you generate your startup plans. You’ll collaborate with fellow participants to refine your ideas and elevate them to the next level.
Register



Elevator Pitch Camp

Thursday, April 10, 2025

In this two-hour coaching session, you’ll refine your pitch and prepare for the Q&A portion of the Elevator Pitch Contest.



Elevator Pitch Contest

Thursday, April 17, 2025

Teams of one to three members have 10 minutes to pitch their startup ideas to our panel of judges. Judges select up to five winning teams to receive a Summer Incubator Fellowship and up to $1,000 micro-grant to launch their startup. 



Summer Incubator Fellowship (six weeks)

June 2 - July 11 2025

Startup teams advance their ideas to the prototype phase in this intensive six-week residential fellowship. Sessions feature guest speakers, individualized tech support, and focused mentorship. Fellowship teams will receive a $2,000 stipend per person.



Fall Demo Day

Thursday, September 25, 2025

Startup teams present an investor pitch and formally demonstrate their POC/finished product to a panel of five judges. Each judge will be allocated funds to invest in one or two startups, in addition to the option of adding their own capital. All startups that receive funding will be eligible for a grant to continue use of the FTI HPC and other FTI resources for at least one year. 

Meet the Program Team

Stirling Orr
WNE FinTech Incubator, Executive Director

Dr. Charles Mutigwe
Associate Professor, Business Analytics

Dr. Mary Schoonmaker
Associate Professor, Marketing
Entrepreneurship

Dr. Bryan Schmutz
Associate Professor, Finance

Dr. Sanjeev Jha
Associate Professor, Business Analytics

Dr. Ethan Jiang
Assistant Professor, Finance

Dr. Yamini Jha
Professional Educator, Business Analytics

Program Partners

WNE Advancement 


WNE Division of Marketing & External Affairs


Alchemy Funds

M. Scott Investments