Fintech-focused startup accelerator seeks applicants for 2021 programme

The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (the Association), the global accounting organisation formed by CIMA and the AICPA, and CPA.com are seeking applicants for their 2021 startup accelerator programme, which specialises in accounting, finance and regulatory technology.

Launched in 2017, the accelerator is open to early-stage companies across the globe. Successful applicants can tap business intelligence about the accounting profession from senior leaders of both the Association and CPA.com and gain insight from the programme’s advisory board members, who have diverse backgrounds and complementary skills in entrepreneurship, startup tech companies, accounting and finance. In addition, companies can qualify for up to $25,000 (roughly R408,000) in funding.

“This was a great programme and opportunity for our company,” said Joey Ryan, CFO and cofounder of Gilded, a member of the 2020 accelerator cohort. “We were able to leverage the knowledge and resources of the Association and CPA.com, receive feedback from CPA firms on our service, and connect with thought leaders who are helping to drive acceptance of digital payments.”

Gilded, based in New Orleans, uses blockchain to offer seamless invoicing, payments, and accounting for global businesses.

Applications for the 2021 accelerator close on 30 November 2020, and selections will be announced in January. Companies that are chosen will be featured next summer at ENGAGE 2021, one of the leading accounting and finance conferences in North America, and later in the year at the AICPA/CPA.com Digital CPA Conference, which specialises in accounting technology and practice development topics.

“The 2021 programme has particular value for early-stage companies because of the lingering challenges of the pandemic,” said Erik Asgeirsson, president and CEO of CPA.com. “As a global organisation, we have the ability to advise startups so they’re well-positioned to take advantage of new opportunities. We have strong relationships throughout the accounting and finance technology field that are invaluable and hard to replicate. The profession, meanwhile, benefits by getting an early look at innovation from some really smart companies.”

The startup accelerator programme is open to entrepreneurial companies worldwide. To be eligible, companies should be:

• At seed or pre-Series A stage (with some exceptions)
  
• Have a working product or service
  
• Focused on financial or regulatory technology solutions

For questions about the programme, please contact Kacee Johnson, strategic advisor for CPA.com, at moc.apc.qh@nosnhoj.eecak. To apply, please visit the startup accelerator programme page at cpa.com/accelerator.