Winning pitch: Leading KC fintech founder deposits trio of new bank partnerships
September 18, 2020 | Austin Barnes
One of Kansas City’s prominent fintech and nonprofit leaders has secured partnerships with three of the regions leading banks.
Donald Hawkins, founder and CEO of Griffin Technologies and a co-leader in KC Collective, was awarded pilot projects with Emprise Bank, Fidelity Bank, and Intrust Bank, Thursday — part of the Wichita-based NXSTAGE Pilot Competition, hosted by ecosystem-building engine NXTUS.
Click here to learn more about the ongoing program and its mission to build regional relationships that create entrepreneurial growth.
Hawkins’ smooth pitch successfully secured partnerships with all of the program’s partners, making him the event’s show stopper, NXSTAGE noted.
“My folks grew up at a time where they knew what it was like to have a relationship with a banker. It felt like somebody local having your back,” Hawkins told judges and audience members, detailing the value Griffin aims to bring to the banking world and to its new partners. “My daughter and niece likely won’t grow up in a time where they have that face-to-face interaction. That’s exactly what we’re aiming to fix.”
Hawkins, a Pipeline Entrepreneur, and Griffin previously were cohort members of nbkc bank’s former Fountain City Fintech accelerator.
Matt Moody, Bellwethr
Eleven fintech finalists pitched their companies as part of the program’s innovation showcase — including Kansas City and Wamego, Kansas-based Bellwethr, which also secured a partnership with Emprise Bank.
Click here to find out why Bellwethr was named one of Startland News’ Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2019.
The event was headlined by speakers Chase Koch, president of Koch Disruptive Technologies, and Steve Case, co-founder of AOL and CEO of Revolution LLC.
The partnerships are expected to help each bank scale their digital reach and improve overall customer experience, while accelerating growth for winning startups, a NXTSTAGE release said.
“It’s critical that we stimulate and facilitate innovation,” echoed Charlie Chandler, INTRUST Bank Chairman and CEO. “Banking is constantly changing, and we have more competition than we’ve ever had.”
The inaugural contest is expected to continue accelerating early-stage startups through additional verticals industry 4.0 and community health and vibrancy over the coming months, NXSTAGE said.
Josh Oeding, Accelerate Venture Partners
“The time is now, for both startups and corporations fighting to meet today’s challenges,” said Josh Oeding, President and CEO of NXTUS.
“Collaboration between early-stage and well-established companies has never been more vital,” he said. “The leadership shown by our corporate and community partners shows they see innovation and entrepreneurship as core to leading us all to a bright future.”
Kansas City-based Destiny — a Startland News’ Kansas City Startup to Watch in 2020 — also pitched during the showcase, but did not place.
Click here to connect with NXSTAGE and NXTUS or to view upcoming events and program announcements.
Watch the NXSTAGE Pilot Competition below.
Featured Business
2020 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Survival rates for new biz in MO, KS lag national average; What’s getting in their way?
Editor’s note: The following story was originally published by Flatland, the digital magazine of Kansas City PBS and a fellow member of the KC Media Collective. Click here to read the original story or here to sign up for the weekly Flatland email newsletter. Colorful balloons, ribbons, unlimited drinks, food and of course music. There was everything at the ribbon cutting…
NMotion adds ‘concierge’ investment accelerator for early-stage founders; applications close May 30
Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by the NMotion startup accelerator, but was independently produced by Startland News. Following NMotion Venture Studio’s successful launch in 2020, Nebraska’s largest and only startup accelerator is adding a new high-touch opportunity to its lineup: NMotion Growth Accelerator. “Five out of the 10 companies that came through the NMotion…
Donations honoring late podcast host, comedian fund ‘place of peace’ for young creators; recording studio dedicated to Mathew George
Friends and family of the late podcast host Mathew George gathered to celebrate the dedication of Operations Breakthrough’s newly-debuted recording studio on what would have been Mathew’s 27th birthday. “What could have been a really depressing day was more celebratory, like it would have been if he were still here,” shared Mary Ann George, mother…
Pipeline Innovators gala adds glamour, top honors back into the mix for celebration of fellows
A remixed Pipeline Innovators gala honored veteran and emerging fellows from within the elite startup founder network Friday — returning the full live celebration to a stage in Kansas City for the first time since 2018 and crowning two new Innovator of the Year recipients. Marking the first Innovators gala for Pipeline executive director Melissa…