SAN FRANCISCO-- September 19, 2023 -- Visa (NYSE: V), a global leader in payments, and leading online technology publication, TechCrunch will be hosting the Visa Everywhere Initiative (VEI) 2023 Global Finals during TechCrunch Disrupt at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, CA. The competition will take place on September 19 on the Fintech Stage, where this year’s VEI finalists will pitch their payment solution to an esteemed panel of judges.

Since the launch of VEI in 2015, some of the most promising startups and fintechs from more than 100 countries have participated in the program. Following their participation in the program, these companies have collectively raised more than $16 billion in funding, successfully addressing the biggest challenges faced by early-stage entrepreneurs.

As a vital component of the program, Visa has made its network available to drive inclusive economic growth with the goal of giving everyone, everywhere, access to the global economy. Notably, minority-owned businesses have tripled after the pandemic, introducing new ideas for the fintech space. The 2023 VEI program saw a significant uptick in diverse applicants, with women-led businesses representing nearly half of this year’s entrants.

“This year, VEI has significantly expanded its reach to unique fintech startups around the globe,” said Marie-Elise Droga, SVP and Head of Global and North America Fintech Partnerships, Visa. “At Visa, innovation is at the heart of everything we do, and by supporting the next generation of payments technology providers in their early stages through VEI, we are fulfilling our mission of uplifting everyone, everywhere.”