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8 Biggest Fintech Incubators in the USA

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Nowadays the rapid growth and development of the Fintech startups are widely observed. Over a couple of years, this digitized financial services industry replenished the system of incubators and accelerators.

In this article we will:

  • explain the meaning, difference, and role of fintech incubators and accelerators;
  • compare the worldwide fintech programs;
  • list the tips on how to apply for accelerators.

Let’s get started.

What is a Fintech Incubator?

Summarizing numerous explanations, the incubator can be defined as:

  • an organization that supplies a customer with certain opportunities and contributes to their autonomy;
  • location where all newly founded firms are. It equips them with the necessary outfit and aims to make such business
  • prosperous and profitable;
  • administrative and technical services;
  • business planning and consulting of future companies and start-up entrepreneurs;
  • the dynamic process of the entrepreneurship development.
source: pymnts.com

Incubator vs. Accelerator

Fintech Accelerators speed up the development of the company, while incubators produce crucial ideas to build the business.

As we can see accelerators deal with the big enterprises while incubators work with innovations.

Even though both programmes saw the world in Silicon Valley, now they are well-spread around the globe.

How Does an Accelerator Work?

The first difference is the structure of the program. The accelerator has a certain established period during which a group of people works to build a strong business and avoid possible risks.

Both programs are very choosy. Accelerators support the tendency to start with the process of applying. The most popular accelerators pick only 10 companies from the 1000 possible candidates.

As a rule, beginners get small investment and access to the mentorship programs in turn for the little fund. The mentorship consists of the founders of the leading companies, advisers, and experts.

So, accelerators aim to shorten the period of development from two years to a couple of months.

Top Fintech Incubators and Accelerators

We’ve prepared the list of the top Fintech incubators and accelerators in the USA.

Top Fintech Incubators and Accelerators in the USA.

source: insights.dice.com

500 Startups

One of the most popular accelerators in the Bay Area. During 4 months you get free access to mentorship, sessions, and meetups where you will cooperate with experts and founders from different countries. 500 Startups invests $150K in turn for the 6% in equity.

TechStars

Annually this accelerator accepts 300 companies to give them three-month mentorship. Its investments count to $120. TechStars gives access to its network for life.

Y Combinator

This is the winning variant of accelerator who wants to run the company of the web apps. It offers a three-month camp in Silicon Valley where all participants present their projects, listen to mentors and advisers.

Ynext incubator

All participants who dare to develop their fintech products get access to Yodlee Interactive APIs, mentorship, consulting, and another type of support.

MergeLane

This is an accelerator for women-led startups. It supports them with online coaching and programs for women in business. As a participant, you have to be in Colorado for 12 weeks and take part in meetings. Then the program can be completed online.

Make in LA

This is an accelerator program that supports hardware startups. It invites to the four-month session that teaches how to build the winning startup and attract investors. Moreover, Make in LA allows online cooperation with the leaders and mentors around the clock.

source: fee.org

Masschallenge

It has headquarters in Boston, Israel, Mexico, Switzerland, Texas, and the UK. Masschallenge improves the innovative global system of startups in different branches for zero equity.

Capital Factory

Its competitive advantage is the possibility to work with mentors and investors all life. They become famous thanks to their up to date coworkers, hosting, and free access to materials.

The Bottom Line

So, be brave and try your luck. All that you need is to pick appropriate accelerator, get ready to present your business, work hard, and bring your idea to life. Today you have a wide choice of the programs that are ready to invest in you.

Rising rates of the contest: Huawei Appeals to the Court for the USA

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Recently the US authorities have forbidden national agencies to collaborate with companies, that use the equipment of Huawei Technologies (HT). It followed that HT appealed to the Texas District Court claiming that the US authorities are acting illegally, and the imposed limitations are unconstitutional. Guo Ping, a company executive, noted that the National Congress did not give any proofs to support the accusations.

source: vcnewsnetwork.com

The company considers unconstitutional the prohibitions to US national structures from buying HT equipment, appealing section 889 of the National Defense Act. Meanwhile, private companies of different size are asked to use reliable communication systems or even try free sip account as provided here.

Growing Support

The US authorities have called other governments to abandon the company`s equipment when creating fifth-generation mobile networks for security reasons. In their opinion, the company can collaborate with the intelligence service of China and use its equipment for cyber espionage. Also, US defense experts have expressed concerns about the company’s involvement in the submarine cables laying. They believe that the Government of China will be able to intercept traffic and even interfere with the Internet work with the HT equipment.

source: boardingarea.com

 NATO`s Respond

“NATO is aware of the potential “security implications” of using Chinese 5G infrastructure and is currently evaluating possible risks.  Close consultations on this issue, in particular, the security of investments in 5G networks are holding,” stated NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

The commander of NATO forces in Europe, General Curtis Scaparrotti, said that the North Atlantic Alliance could break the link with its German counterparts if they decide to work with HT in developing 5G.

source: vokrugsveta.ua

Submarine Communication Cables

Struggling for the global networks control opened a new front in the US-China relationship. US defense experts are concerned about the vulnerability of submarine cable systems, which can be used for espionage. As Huawei is involved in the creation of the system, the situation becomes even more complicated.

While the United States take measures against HT to prevent it from creating 5G mobile communication networks, it is strengthening position in creating a submarine cables system that carries almost the entire amount of Internet information. Joe Kelly, a spokesperson for Huawei, noticed that the company is privately owned and “no government has ever asked for anything that would endanger its customers or business.”

source: androidpolice.com

 Plans for Future

The Chinese company has developed its own operating system in case of inability to use the Android OS and Windows due to a conflict with the US authorities.

The techno giant began its work on creating an alternative OS in 2012. It was a necessary measure for responding to the US investigation over HT and ZTE activities, suspected of spying for Beijing’s Government.

Huawei Technologies is still one of the world’s largest telecom companies. The annual revenue of the company reaches $ 100 billion, and net profit is over $ 7 billion.

Will Any US States Benefit from Protectionism?

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The end of January will see key figures in both the US and Chinese governments meeting to discuss the trade war ongoing between the countries. The nations have until March to work out some “structural changes” to the way they conduct trade. Otherwise, Donald Trump’s tariff rate on the Chinese will be raised to 25% from 10% and will impact on $200 billion of Chinese imports. With the clock ticking, protectionists in the USA are in favor of the tariffs, which they believe would allow manufacturing to return to US soil and give a boost to several industries that formed a key part of Trump’s strategy during his presidential election campaign. But have any states in the US felt the benefits of the trade situation with China – and are any likely to see the benefits should the tariffs be raised?

 

The trade war began as a cold front in 2018 as tariffs were introduced and President Trump started to dismantle the trade agreements that had been in place. Indeed, the manufacturing states in the south are actually most at risk if the trade war intensifies. Manufacturing-heavy Alabama, Kentucky, and South Carolina are reliant on the fact they can ship $1bns into the Chinese market and a tit-for-tat trade war with tariffs would stifle this growth. While tariffs haven’t been properly implemented so far, the forecast for the implementation can be monitored through various financial methods. For instance, the Dow Jones is a reliable way of financially measuring some of the most profitable US companies. An impact from tariff rises can be monitored and analyzed to see how this would affect businesses down the line and across sectors.

While some protectionists do argue that industry in the US will improve, most economists believe that the US needs China far more than China needs the US. Farmers are also concerned that they will be priced out with a retaliatory Chinese tariff rise, which could see the industry decimated on a global scale. The tariffs that come back to them will cause price increases to match overheads, which will effectively price them out of the global market. While some support the protectionist policies – which will force some US companies to use the US manufactures or produce, the export market for a lot of industries is far greater and much more profitable than attempting to pass products on within the country. Losing such a big market will impact a large range of sectors that might not even have expected to be hit.

Img source: johnlocke.org

There is still time to rectify the US-China trade situation before Trump’s tariffs take effect. No states look to benefit from the tariffs, and some actively look to be made worse off – especially those that have been named as states and industries that will see positive effects. Overall, the economy will suffer as businesses try to rationalize the price hikes within their own structures, which will likely be passed on to the consumer. Indeed, the only people expected to benefit from the US-China trade war seem to be Chinese manufacturers.

Tips On How To Help The Homeless

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The times we are living in are tough and nowadays it isn’t as easy to find a secure job as it once was (in the USA). A lot of people are doing their best to go through the 9 to 5 daily work routine and provide basic needs for their families. Still, it seems like the homeless problem has never been as wide before – some people lost their home due to wrong business moves, others simply didn’t have an equal chance. Whatever is the reason it isn’t a nice thing to see and we should all start growing social responsibility towards each other and them.

Just imagine what you would do if you were in a similar position? You would probably expect and hope that the passengers coming by will try to help you in some way. On the other hand, our society seems to be growing indifferent of people in dire need and we need to stop that.

Helping the homeless with at least something is always better than nothing. Even a good talk will make them feel better and make them change their views. You can make someone’s day without a lot of effort and you should know that. We are all connected, and we should all try to care about each other.

Without further ado let’s go ahead and take a look at a few tips on how to help the homeless.

USA / San Francisco / May 2004
Christine beg to many on Fulton street of San Francisco. The city spends $200 million a year trying to get homeless people off the streets and into a better way of life – but over 20 years, the problem has only gotten worse.
† Fatih Pinar / Anzenberger

Few Tips On Helping The Homeless

  1. Well, the first step is not just passing by but stopping and actually engaging with that homeless person. What might take a few minutes of your time may well as well change the day or even life of another person. Ask them how is their day, have a nice and warm talk with them and be ready to listen. Even if you aren’t able to help them financially this will mean a lot to them.
  2. Give that change that you would usually put in the back of your pocket after grocery shopping to the people that need it the most. A few dollars will not change your life while you might as well help someone manage it through the day and get better chances of stepping back on track. The deed of giving is what is important – the amount of money isn’t. And if you are in a financial possibility take them to a food place and eat together. This will mean a lot to them as you will both engage and make them And for those of you that are better standing believe us taking a homeless person for a makeover or renting a room for a few nights can be a life-changing thing for them.
  1. If you are any kind of employer and need new workers don’t look only at the official job market. There are a lot of people that are out there on the streets who are ready to work much harder than someone whose life doesn’t depend solely on the income they would receive from you. Go out and ask people if they are interested in being your employee (of course, if the job position is suitable). Believe us they will gladly accept it and be ready to give there 100%.
  2. Last but not least helping out the homeless shelters and food banks is one of the best things you can do. If you don’t know any near you, go ahead and check the ones listed on the Grace’s List. This website has hundreds of homeless shelters and you will be able to find the nearest one in a matter of a few minutes just by going to the homeless shelters for families near me sector. Go out, ask what kind of help is needed and even apply to volunteer.

Summary

Sharing is caring and believe us giving to homeless people will make their day or even life better, and you will know that you did the right thing. And believe us at the end every good deed that you did will get back at you double time!

Best Places To Take Your Date In NYC

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So, being in a relationship is a beautiful thing and having a person that will be there and support you throughout is one of the best things out there. Still, in the times we are living in it might not be that easy to find a soulmate and thus you have to go on numerous dates in the process. And dates – well they are not something people are so happy about. Why you might ask? Well, people are anxious that they will not leave a good first impression, and never get the chance to improve. While the first impression is important than most valuable advice you can get is to be yourself and enjoy the time.

Anyways, when going out for a date the place you go is really important (as of the atmosphere and everything else), and it should be something you both enjoy and like. And if you are living in a beautiful city that never sleeps – New York; your date place options are pretty wide. From beautiful parks to restaurants and bars you can end your night at it is just a matter of you and your partner’s preference.

Let’s take a look at some of the best date places in NYC!

Where To Take Your Date When In NYC

  1. Brooklyn Botanical Garden. Well, if you and your partner enjoy nature and a calmer atmosphere than the Brooklyn Botanical Garden might be just right. It is situated near Prospect Park and features hundreds of cherry blossom trees, as well as another type of beautiful plants and simple nature peace. And this is a great spot to have a nice chat at and feel the vibe of Japan’s unique culture. On top of all that the garden is open all year long so no matter what season it is you will get to enjoy!
source: nycgo.com
  1. Jane’s Carousel. On the other hand, if you are a fan of more lights and simple fun you can go to Jane’s Carousel before your dinner at a restaurant. You will both feel like you are kids again and very soon fall in love with the whole romantic area around it!
source: susanshek.com
  1. The Water Table. Well, when it comes to the date dinner restaurants, the Water Table is one of your best options. It is on the East River, and as you enjoy the light and romantic cruise, you will get the option to try out specialties such as lobster risotto or an apple chowder. Surely, one of the unique restaurants in NYC!
source: giftsomething.com
  1. Slipper Room. You had a good dinner, and now it is time to move along and have some fun. Well, if you are into nightlife and being attracted at the same time the Slipper Room is your best bet. Both you and your partner will laugh and enjoy the performance throughout with multiple cheeky dancers, singers, and comedians doing their best to entertain you!
source: idktonight.com
  1. Brooklyn Bazaar. Once again the Brooklyn part has a lot to offer, and its bazaar is one of the most fun things out there. From arcade games to karaoke rooms you will get to experience a lot of new things and new food as well!
soueventup.com
  1. Paulie Gee’s. Well if you two are a fan of Italian food and pizza in particularly visiting Paulie Gee’s is your best option. The tasty brick oven creation will take over your taste buds!
source: 1812columbus.com

Summary

As you can see NYC is a vivid city that offers so much to anyone. Saying that in it are some of the best places to have a date at and we only recommended a few ones. So go ahead, do your search and enjoy the time!

Abraham Lincoln Facts You May Not Know

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The 16th President of the United States of America, Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809. He was a president for 5 years, but on 15 April 1865, he was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. He showed remarkable leadership skills during the American Civil War. What he is most remembered about is signing the Emancipation Proclamation, which was an executive order changing the legal status of slaves to ‘free’. Hence, we decided to share ten of the most remarkable facts about Lincoln you may not know.

10 Abraham Lincoln Facts You May Not Know

Img source: wikipedia.com

1. Lincoln Served in the Illinois State Legislature

Before his involvement in politics, he had a law career and served 4 consecutive terms in the Illinois state legislature. He was considered to be one of the most trustworthy, reputable and honest lawyers.

2. He Was Self-Educated

Although being a lawyer, Lincoln didn’t have a degree. In fact, he got his education from travelling teachers and his total schooling is estimated to be around one year.

3. ‘President of Firsts’

There have been many things Lincoln did for the first time as a president. He wasn’t only the first president to be assassinated, but also the first US president to wear a beard, hold a patent, and be in an inaugural photograph.

Img source: youtube.com

4. He’s One of The Top 3 Presidents of the United States

Lincoln has constantly been ranked as one of the best presidents the USA had, together with George Washington and Franklin D. Roosevelt.

5. The Brother of Lincoln’s Assassin Saved His Son

Before Lincoln being assassinated, John Wilkes Booth’s brother saved Lincoln’s son. John Wilkes Booth’s, Edwin Booth, was a famous actor and he pulled Lincoln’s son to safety as the boy fell on the tracks at a train station.

6. Lincoln’s Bodyguard was Absent When Lincoln Was Assassinated

It is still a mystery where John Parker, Lincoln’s security was when the president was assassinated. Allegedly, Parker went to watch the play at Washington, DC’s Ford’s Theatre. During the intermission, he went to the same saloon where John Wilkes Booth was drinking.

7. Lincoln Had the Bill to Create US Secret Service on His Desk the Night of His Assassination

It is believed that if his bodyguard was there, Lincoln might have stayed alive. It is quite strange that he had such a bill on his desk just the night when he was assassinated.

Img source: history.com

8. Lincoln’s Main Aim Was to Preserve the Union in the Civil War

The main goal of the president was to preserve the Union and thus, he sent troops to recapture lost forts. The war began when the Confederate secessionists fired on Fort Sumter on 12 April 1861.

9. He Was Not an Abolitionist

It is evident that Lincoln hated the institution of slavery. As a matter of fact, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation on 1 January 1863, legally freeing the 3 million slaves. Nevertheless, he claimed that he had no rights to stop the institution of slavery in the States in his first inaugural address.

10. Lincoln Had a Wealthy Wife

Lincoln was married to Mary Todd of Lexington Kentucky. His wife came from a wealthy family who owned slaves. They married on 4 November 1842. Mary’s two brothers had died serving in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. Mary Ann Todd Lincoln witnessed her husband’s assassination, which resulted in her being institutionalized for psychiatric disease ten years after the incident.

Who to Inform About Your Change of Address?

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The асt оf mоvіng іѕ ѕtrеѕѕful to ѕау thе least. Chаngіng уоur address tо your nеw home іѕ рrоbаblу оnе оf thе lеѕѕ ѕtrеѕѕful parts of moving соmраrеd tо having tо расk-uр a еntіrе hоuѕе.

Evеn ѕо, іt is nоt something tо dо lаѕt minute. It’s іmроrtаnt to make thе switch оf аddrеѕѕ before the mоvе оr еlѕе уоur mail wіll nоt follow уоu tо уоur nеw аddrеѕѕ.

Your bills, mоnthlу ѕubѕсrірtіоnѕ аnd what nоt wіll be ѕіttіng іn уоur former home аnd I dоubt уоu’d want tо mіѕѕ аnу рауmеntѕ.

Img source: pinterest.com

Hеrе аrе some tірѕ to be роѕіtіvе thаt уоur mаіl wіll be mоvіng along with уоu:

  • Onсе you gеt уоur nеw аddrеѕѕ and dауѕ before thе mоvіng dаtе, tаkе a quick trір tо thе post оffісе аnd take a few mіnutеѕ to fіll оut thе US postal ѕеrvісе’ѕ official change оf address form. The form is аlѕо knоwn аѕ PS Fоrm 3575. If you dоn’t ѕее thеm around thе роѕt оffісе, juѕt аѕk the ѕtаff whо can аѕѕіѕt уоu.
  • Wrіtіng down thе оld and new аddrеѕѕеѕ on thе form іѕ еѕѕеntіаl but іt іѕ аlѕо іmроrtаnt to rеmеmbеr tо аdd thе names оf anyone else who will bе mоvіng. It’ѕ nоt оnlу уоu whо receive thе mаіl; уоur wіfе, husband оr сhіldrеn receive ѕnаіl mаіl tоо.
  • If you can’t mаkе іt to the роѕt office durіng оffісе hours, you саn аrrаngе tо have уоur mаіl forwarded аt уоur оwn соnvеnіеnсе – online оf соurѕе. Yоu just hаvе to соmрlеtе a ѕhоrt fоrm аt thе US postal service address change online and then уоu’rе аll set.
  • Tаkе note that thе change оf аddrеѕѕ fоrm іѕ temporary. Fіrѕt сlаѕѕ mаіl such аѕ уоur mаіl іѕ forwarded tо уоur nеw address fоr a уеаr. Pеrіоdісаlѕ ѕuсh as newsletters аnd magazines аrе only forwarded for 60 dауѕ. Aftеr thе еxріrаtіоn оf the fоrwаrdіng period, your mаіl wіll bе sent tо thе dead-letter rооm аt the post оffісе оr to your рrіоr residence. to keep receiving your mail, уоu nееd tо sent оut change оf аddrеѕѕ саrdѕ to еvеrуоnе уоu dо business. Thе cards аrе аvаіlаblе аt thе post оffісе fоr free.

    Img source: canyonspringschristian.com
  • For university or college ѕtudеntѕ who are grаduаtіng оr mоvіng аwау for the summer, check with thе residence оffісе оr саmрuѕ mаіl service tо іnԛuіrе оn the mаіl fоrwаrdіng роlісіеѕ so you’ll соntіnuе tо receive уоur mаіl.
  • Fоr thе bіllѕ that уоu rесеіvе frоm уоur utilities, сrеdіt саrd company оr іnѕurаnсе provider, уоu саn update уоur аddrеѕѕ information еіthеr on their website or uѕuаllу thеу hаvе a section to сhаngе thе аddrеѕѕ in thе mаіl that thеу ѕеnd.
  • Yоu саn get lоѕt іn thе ѕhufflе so kеер trасk of who you’ve gіvеn уоur nеw аddrеѕѕ tо and whо соuld роѕѕіblу ѕtіll nееdѕ іt. A сhесklіѕt of the соmраnіеѕ ѕuсh аѕ thе IRS, рhоnе and utіlіtіеѕ соmраnу whо nееd your address nоt to mеntіоn, уоur friends and rеlаtіvеѕ whо want tо keep in соntасt wіth уоu.

Millions Of Americans In The Grips Of Poverty

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President Trump animated whole swaths of Americans who felt left behind, overlooked, and misunderstood. Major American companies have been shutting down manufacturing, and blue-collar industries have been gutted, leaving millions of Americans in the grips of poverty, addiction, and hopelessness. Donald Trump promised to change the status quo, and millions cast their ballots based on that promise.

Now, with the news that General Motors is likely to shut down five plants in the United States and Canada, further decimating the already hard-hit American automotive industry, it feels like a promise broken.

Source:nbcchicago.com

CNBC reports:

“The company plans to cut 15 percent of its salaried workers, resulting in a 25 percent reduction of its executive ranks, the company said. The cuts will eliminate more than 14,000 jobs in all, roughly 8,100 white collar positions and more than 6,000 factory jobs, according to the company.”

The plants slated for closure are in Michigan, Ohio, and Maryland, as well as Ontario, Canada. Cars produced in these plants include the Chevy Impala, Cadillac CT6, Chevy Volt, Buick LaCrosse, Chevy Cruze, and the Cadillac XTS sedan.

President Trump has some tough talk for GM, saying:

 “Very disappointed with General Motors and their CEO, Mary Barra, for closing plants in Ohio, Michigan and Maryland. Nothing being closed in Mexico & China. The U.S. saved General Motors, and this is the THANKS we get!

We are now looking at cutting all @GM subsidies, including for electric cars. General Motors made a big China bet years ago when they built plants there (and in Mexico) – don’t think that bet is going to pay off. I am here to protect America’s Workers!”

But the reality is that Trump’s economic policies, despite his guarantees, didn’t prevent these plant closures and might have even precipitated them. The GOP tax bill has saved GM over $150 million so far in 2018, and yet, are they using those saving to invest in workers and communities? Or to generate more jobs? Nope.

And in fact, in June, GM said that planned tariffs from the Trump administration would likely lead to “less investment, fewer jobs and lower wages” for its employees.

Source:euronews.com

Plus GM isn’t the only company making these moves. In June, Harley-Davidson also announced that it was shifting some production out of the United States because of the escalating trade war President Trump initiated with tariffs on steel and aluminum.

We deserve better, both from President Trump and from these ostensibly American companies who are quick to take taxpayer dollars, line their pockets, and cut and run.

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