The accelerator is led by newly appointed Managing Director Keena Pierre, a startup ecosystem builder and operator passionate about democratizing access to capital and opportunity.

“I’m beyond excited to kick off this inaugural program with five dynamic Atlanta based fintech companies,” said Keena Pierre, Managing Director of Pinnacle Atlanta Innovation Accelerator. “Atlanta is Fintech! With over 70% of US payment transactions going through Atlanta, we are ‘Transaction Alley.’ We’re building more than an accelerator; we’re building a pipeline for fintech innovation in Atlanta and beyond. The South has something to say, and this cohort proves it!”

The selected startups span fintech and adjacent sectors, and are all based in the Atlanta metro area:

• Billseye –A mobile billing app that lets service professionals instantly charge for client calls by adding a “blue button” to the phone screen.

• Blended – A financial platform that helps divorced and single-parent families automate, track, and settle shared expenses with less conflict and more clarity.

• Guala – A social point-of-sale and merchant wallet that helps micro-sellers accept payments, build customer profiles, and grow their businesses from hustle to scale.

• LUXE AI – An AI-powered personal concierge that helps high-end consumers unlock personalized travel, dining, and lifestyle rewards from their credit cards.

• Pagarva Inc. – A mobile point-of-sale platform helping immigrant-led micro-businesses accept any payment, access instant payouts, and manage taxes all in one multilingual app.

The program is made possible through a partnership with Pinnacle Financial Partners and Tarkenton and operates out of the PEER Center. The PEER Center is a community-focused space in Atlanta designed to improve economic equity and expand access to opportunity. The PEER Center offers financial education, coaching, personal financial planning, affordable homeownership support, and small business development resources for underserved individuals and families. 

Over the next 12 weeks, founders will receive individualized coaching, mentorship-driven programming, and over $1M in deals and perks, culminating in a public Showcase event this winter.

“Pinnacle is proud to support this program as a way to fuel homegrown innovation and uplift the communities we serve,” said Susan Godbee, Financial Advisor at Pinnacle Financial Partners. “We’re investing in the people and ideas that are shaping the future of financial services.”

“Entrepreneurs are the backbone of America,” said Fran Tarkenton, founder and CEO of Tarkenton. “Supporting them has been the mission of my life, and this is a great opportunity to champion some of the most innovative people and companies right here in our backyard of Atlanta.”

The Pinnacle Atlanta Innovation Accelerator received more than 80 applications from the Atlanta metro area for the program’s first cohort. The five selected companies were chosen based on their growth potential and investor readiness.  

At the end of the Pinnacle Atlanta Innovation Accelerator program, the cohort will present at a public showcase event in January, where they will pitch to investors, community leaders, and ecosystem partners. Event details to follow.

Founders, mentors, or partners interested in connecting with the program can visit gener8tor.com/investment-accelerators/pinnacle-atlanta-innovation or reach out to [email protected].