Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: The Visa Everywhere Initiative Women’s Special Edition
Visa is on a mission to drive inclusive economic growth, ensuring that everyone, everywhere has access to the global economy. This year, the spotlight is on women-owned startups, as Visa opens its network to innovative digital solutions that enhance accessibility in how we pay, save, and invest. The Visa Everywhere Initiative Women’s Special Edition has brought together five remarkable finalists, each showcasing their unique solutions to a panel of industry judges at a high-profile event hosted by TechCrunch.
The Competition
The Visa Everywhere Initiative Women’s Special Edition featured five standout startups that went head-to-head, presenting their innovative ideas aimed at transforming financial accessibility. The competition was fierce, but Tylisha Summers of SpenDebt emerged as the overall winner, while Stefania Di Bartolomeo of Physis Investment captured the audience’s heart, earning the title of Audience Favorite. Each finalist brought a fresh perspective to the table, addressing various challenges faced by consumers and investors alike.
Meet the Finalists
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Eve Halimi of Alinea: A social app designed specifically for Gen Z, Alinea aims to engage younger users in financial literacy and investment opportunities through a community-driven platform.
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Stefania Di Bartolomeo of Physis Investment: This innovative software focuses on sustainable investing for institutional investors, helping them make informed decisions that align with their values.
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Tylisha Summers of SpenDebt: SpenDebt offers a unique solution that allows users to pay off their debts automatically through everyday spending, making financial management more seamless and less burdensome.
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Nikki Varanasi of Staax: Staax simplifies wealth building by making stock investments as easy as receiving a payment, democratizing access to the stock market for everyday individuals.
- Luan Cox of FinMkt: This consumer financing SaaS platform serves lenders, merchants, and enterprise partners, streamlining the financing process and enhancing accessibility for consumers.
Monetary Prizes
The stakes were high, with both the overall winner and the audience favorite each receiving a monetary prize of $10,000 USD. This financial support not only recognizes their innovative solutions but also provides crucial resources to help these startups scale their operations and reach more users.
The Judges
A panel of esteemed judges evaluated the finalists, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the competition. The judges included:
- Adriana Saman, Principal at Clocktower Technology Ventures
- Anabel Perez, President & CEO of NovoPayment
- Brian Cole, SVP and Head of North America Product & Solutions at Visa
- Deirdre Cohen, SVP and Head of US Acquiring at Visa
- Elle Rustique, Founder & CEO of TipBrightly
- Veronica Fernandez, SVP and Regional Head of North America Business Solutions at Visa
Their insights and feedback were invaluable in guiding the finalists and highlighting the importance of innovation in the financial sector.
Fireside Chat with Dr. Jen Welter
Adding to the event’s excitement, Visa hosted a fireside chat featuring Dr. Jen Welter, a motivational speaker and the first female coach in the NFL. Dr. Welter shared her experiences in a male-dominated industry and emphasized the importance of empowering women across all sectors. In her conversation with Visa’s Erin Pursell, she discussed the significant impact women can make in technology and other industries, underscoring the vital role female founders play in nurturing the next generation of diverse talent.
A Commitment to Inclusivity
The Visa Everywhere Initiative Women’s Special Edition is part of a broader commitment to inclusivity that Visa has embraced. Earlier this year, during Black History Month, the initiative recognized startups focused on redefining capital and banking for everyday Americans. The competition spotlighted SoLo Funds as the Overall Winner and Zimbali Networks as the Audience Favorite for their innovative approaches in the fintech space.
Future Opportunities
Visa continues to expand the Visa Everywhere Initiative, which now boasts a network of 8,500 startups worldwide. Since its launch in 2015, the program has helped startups in over 100 countries collectively raise more than $16 billion in funding. This year, Visa is particularly focused on reaching a diverse group of innovators, with special editions planned for Black, Women, and LGBTQ+-founded startups throughout the year.
Applications for the U.S. LGBTQ+ Special Edition are currently open, inviting more innovators to join this transformative initiative.
The Visa Everywhere Initiative is not just a competition; it’s a movement aimed at fostering innovation and inclusivity in the financial landscape, paving the way for a more equitable future.