The Future of Fintech: Introducing the 2024 Fintech Innovation Lab Cohort

CHICAGO — 1871 is thrilled to announce the 2024 FinTech Innovation Lab Cohort. 47 founders, leaders and innovators from across the globe, representing key cities in the United States, Canada and Argentina to navigate and address critical challenges in FinTech. 

Throughout the program, the cohort will cover Focus Areas: Payments, Banking, and Emerging FinTech as well diving into the intricacies of Cyber-Security Innovations, Frictionless B2C Payments, Digital Banking and more. 

Meet the cohort!

Moataz Alobaid, Founder & CEO, Empowch

Frank Arellano, Founder & CEO, Revolv3

Ravi Bhardwaj, Co-founder & CEO, Kosh AI

Jack Boudreau, Co-founder & CEO, Habits Inc.

Michael Broughton, Founder & CEO, ALTRO

Brian Busche, Co-founder, ChartObserver

Abby Butkus, VP of Strategy, Arro

Dennis Cail, Founder & CEO, Zirtue

Qi Cao, Founder & CEO, Chargeblast

George Chikovani, Co-founder & CEO, Metastable

Amy Chou, CPO, Addition Wealth

Bruce Cummings, CEO, Freede

Wolfgang Decker, Co-founder & Strategist, Vesto LLC

Jerome Dishman, Co-founder & COO, Allison Fintech Co

José Vincente Fernández-Abríl, Founder & CEO, Bankuish 

John Findlay, Co-founder & CEO, LemonadeLXP

Sony Gabriel. Co-founder & CEO, Traice Inc.

Sara Gilbert, Communications Manager, Fr0ntierX

Gavin Gillas, Co-founder & COO, Giving Docs

Marc Held, Co-founder & CEO, Fishtail

Omar Hernandez, Founder & CEO, ONEBIT INC.

Tim Hyde, Co-founder & CTO, Baselayer

Cory Jaeger, Head of Business Development, Physis Investment

Behnam Javanparast, Co-founder & CEO, yiyaniQ

Andrew Kibe, Co-founder & CTO, Lemonade Payments

James Kim, Founder, AlumSum

Hempstone Maroria, Founder & CTO, Waya

John Mizzi, Co-founder & CEO, Vero Technologies 

Pedro Moura, Co-founder & CEO, Flourish Fi 

James Muhato, Co-founder & Community Success Lead, Woveo

Saji Nair, Co-founder & CEO, BCube Analytics Inc

Olutola Omembe, Co-Founder & Head of Technology, Expedier Inc.

Rachel Obenshain, Co-founder & President, Xeni Inc.

Mick Oppy, CEO, Neural Payments

Lucas Posada, Co-founder & CEO, Takenos

Shima Rayej, Co-founder & CPO, Safe Rate

Bret Rietow, Co-founder & COO, Apriority Financial

Isabela Rodriguez, COO, Domu

Jorge Ruiz, Founder & CEO, FinConecta

Ehsan Shariati Varnosfaderani, Founder & CEO, Functionland Inc

Gaurav Singhal, Founder & CEO, Annuity Risk

Axel Thibon, Co-founder & CEO, Wizest

Kumar Ujjwal, Founder & CEO, DwellFi

Victor Unda, Co-founder & CEO, OKY

Jake Vacovec, Co-founder, FlyCode Inc.

Derrick Wolbert, Co-founder & CEO, The New Money Company

Saujin Yi, Founder & CEO, LiquidTrust

About the Program

1871’s FinTech Innovation Lab connects early startups, growth-scalers, corporates and VCs in FinTech. Through virtual and in-person immersive sessions, cohort members receive tailored programming led by industry leaders and professionals. 

Exclusive benefits for the cohort include: 

• Product exposure to corporate innovators and VCs
• Network with industry leaders
• Emerge as a showcased thought leader
• Explore curated connections to potential partners
• Connect with tech talent interested in the fintech industry
• Give back by mentoring early-stage startups

This Innovation Lab is built with FinTech4Good and supported by Discover, United, World Business Chicago and EX3.