Here are the 10 startups selected for MetLife’s accelerator program in Cary

Date Published:

CARY — For the third year, the MetLife Digital Accelerator – in partnership with Techstars – has announced a cohort of 10 startups. But this time, instead of luring the companies to MetLife’s Cary campus, the accelerator is taking on an online model.

That’s according to company spokesman Tony Varnon, who confirms that, due to the pandemic, all 10 companies are staying put.

This year’s cohort of startups are focusing on developing financial wellness and engagement solutions to help customers and families save money, tackle debt, stay healthy, care for seniors and children and close the racial wealth gap, according to the company.

Meredith Ryan-Reid, senior vice president of financial wellness and engagement at MetLife, said this year’s accelerator brings together a diverse cross section of innovators.

“These startups will focus on developing compelling employee-benefit solutions that can flex to each customer’s needs while addressing the broader impacts of a challenging socioeconomic climate,” she said in a prepared statement.

During the three-month program, startups will work with both MetLife leaders and Techstars mentors to develop their concepts. At the conclusion in December, there’s a Demo Day. But this year, it too will be all digital.

Chosen startups are:

  • ChangEd: The Chicago startup aims to accelerate repayment of debt, from student loans to mortgages, to get borrowers out of debt sooner.
  • Dot: The New York startup has created a “robot financial advisor” that delivers personalized recommendations aimed at helping people increase savings, optimize spending, and plan for retirement.
  • FinGoal: The Boulder, Colorado-based startup uses AI to analyze consumer behavior and then provides what it describes as personalized, less expensive alternatives – from a cup of coffee to insurance.
  • Holisticly: The New York startup provides employees with a monthly wellness stipend to choose from a range of team-wide experiences and fitness and mental health solutions.
  • InterGen Data: The Plano, Texas-based firm develops an AI platform that aims to predict the likelihood of life-changing events so people can prepare.
  • Kinside: The Los Angeles startup aims to connect employees to a network of 1 million daycare and preschool spots, with pre-negotiated spaces and exclusive savings.
  • LivNao: The Sunnyvale, California-based firm’s technology measures mental health for delivery of behavioral nudges to improve wellbeing.
  • Mellow: The Hong Kong-based firm offers resource for parents to teach kids, ages 6-18, how to build money habits and use digital payments across savings, spending and earnings.
  • OfColor: The Maplewood, New Jersey-based firm provides content, banking tools and AI advice built around how people of color save, spend and build wealth.
  • VillagePlan: The Boston-based startup provides on-demand experts and technology tools to help families care for aging loved ones.

Original Article Source: Triangle Business Journal