In an electrifying convergence of innovation and entrepreneurship, the Visa Everywhere Initiative (VEI) took center stage at Disrupt’s prestigious startup event. Held on October 28th, 2024, this global competition, designed to empower fintech startups with groundbreaking solutions, culminated in an exciting showdown where visionary entrepreneurs pitched their cutting-edge solutions to a panel of esteemed judges comprising industry leaders and fintech veterans.
Since its inception, VEI has been a beacon for fintech startups, offering them a platform to showcase their innovative solutions while fostering a collaborative ecosystem. The initiative highlighted Visa’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of financial technology, and this year was no different—VEI presented an awe-inspiring finale at Disrupt.
The Global Finals featured a carefully curated selection of five promising fintech startups from around the world, each vying for the coveted title and a chance to win a $100K prize.
The 2024 Visa Everywhere Initiative Finalists were:
Flycode – Helps companies recover failed subscription payments to increase revenue and retention. https://www.flycode.com/
GamerG – Skill based gaming platform with prizes every day. gamerg.gg
Qugo – Digitizing traditional distribution channels in Southeast. www.quqo.com
Trexx – Facilitating access to credit through games for Genz and unbanked people. https://www.trexx.com.br
Waya Finance & Technology – A digital end-to-end solution that boost the future of invoice finance. https://waya.se
The startups were judged based on the following criteria:
- Solution and pitch presentation
- Value added for Visa / Partnership Opportunity
- Desirability & uniqueness
- Feasibility of product/solution
Jen Welter, the first female NFL coach, was a keynote speaker at the Visa Everywhere Initiative finals. With the theme “Breaking Barriers,” Jen’s uplifting presence offered valuable lessons in leadership and resilience. Attendees had an incredible opportunity to learn and be inspired by a true trailblazer.
Visa continues to weave its legacy into the fabric of fintech. The VEI Global Finals at Disrupt showcased bright minds in technology and reinforced Visa’s role as a leader in advancing payment solutions. The event sparked inspiration and collaboration for years to come.
We are excited to announce this year’s winners:
Overall Winner – Jake Vacovec, Co-Founder of Flycode, won a $100,000 prize and $25,000 in AWS Activate credits
Audience Favorite – Rashid Haddadin, Co-Founder of GamerG, won a $20,000 prize and $10,000 in AWS Activate credits
In recognition of their accomplishment, AWS provided $25,000 in AWS Activate credits to the overall winner and $10,000 in AWS Activate credits to each of the four finalists. AWS Activate is the flagship startup program from AWS. From the earliest stages, Activate provides founders and their teams with cloud credits, technical support, and business mentorship on the most secure cloud. AWS Activate credits can be used on eligible AWS services, including third-party foundation models on Amazon Bedrock. Over 280,000 startups around the globe have joined AWS Activate since its inception in 2013.
About Visa Everywhere Initiative – Since its launch in 2015, nearly 15,000 startups from more than 100 countries have applied to the Visa Everywhere Initiative. These startups have gone on to collectively raise more than $48 billion in funding.
