Founders of two FLF-backed companies, Flex and Worth AI, join leaders from Acorns, FT Partners and Canapi Ventures to help source, evaluate and scale the next generation of FinTech companies

TAMPA, FL (November 2026): Florida Funders, recognized as one of the top VCs in the Southeast by PitchBook, today announced the launch of the FLF FinTech Advisory Board, a group of FinTech founders, executives, bankers and investors who will help guide the firm's FinTech investment strategy and support portfolio founders building in the sector. The board builds on a FinTech track record that includes two unicorns, Flex and Mesh, both backed by Florida Funders at the pre-seed and seed stage.

From Generalist to Focused: Florida Funders' Strategy Evolution

Over the years, Florida Funders has evolved from a generalist venture firm into a focused investor with three core verticals: FinTech, cybersecurity and Enterprise AI. The FinTech Advisory Board is the second in that effort, following the FLF Cybersecurity Advisory Board launched in March 2026, and delivers on the firm's commitment to extend the model into FinTech this year.

The move reflects a firm-wide refinement of strategy and what Florida Funders sees as the natural evolution of a firm going from good to great. When the firm commits to a sector, it goes all in: sourcing the best deals, bringing in the best experts, and helping its founders as much as possible.

A FinTech Track Record Built at the Earliest Stages

Some of Florida Funders' best investments to date have been in FinTech:

• Flex: an AI-native private bank for middle-market business owners, now valued at more than $1 billion
• Mesh: a payments infrastructure company, now valued at $1 billion
• ClassWallet: a digital wallet and payments platform for education and government funds
• Worth AI: an AI-powered business underwriting platform

The firm's FinTech portfolio also includes Marco Capital, Grow Credit, ApexEdge, Jassby and Harness, as well as its new investment in PayPath, an AI operating system for the debt resolution stack at lenders, banks, fintechs and collections operators, which came out of a16z's Speedrun program.

"Some of our best investments to date have been in FinTech, including two unicorns, Flex and Mesh, that we backed at pre-seed and seed," said Saxon Baum, Managing Partner at Florida Funders. "Over the years we've evolved from a generalist fund into a focused one, with FinTech, cybersecurity and Enterprise AI as our core verticals. When we commit to a sector, we go all in. That means sourcing the best deals, bringing in the best experts, and doing everything we can for our founders. Having Zaid and Sal, two founders we backed early, now helping the next generation is exactly what this board is about."

Meet the FLF FinTech Advisory Board

The board will work alongside Saxon Baum and Rachael Ferm, Director of Investments at Florida Funders, to identify promising FinTech founders and provide resources beyond capital.

• Zaid Rahman, Founder and CEO, Flex. Flex is an AI-native private bank for middle-market business owners. Zaid is a Thiel Fellow with two prior exits.

• Sal Rehmetullah, Founder and CEO, Worth AI. Worth AI provides AI-powered business underwriting. Sal was previously co-founder and president of Stax Payments, and earlier worked at Deloitte and Morgan Stanley.

• Steve McLaughlin, Founder, CEO and Managing Partner, FT Partners. FT Partners, founded in 2002, is a FinTech-focused investment bank. Steve was previously head of FinTech investment banking at Goldman Sachs.

• Harrison "Harry" Kioko, Principal, Canapi Ventures. Canapi Ventures is a FinTech and B2B software venture firm. Harry was previously in investment banking at Goldman Sachs.

• Seth Wunder, Global President and CFO, Acorns. Acorns helps everyday Americans save and invest.

"Having built two FinTech companies, I know the difference a sharp, hands-on partner makes. Florida Funders has been exactly that for Worth, and they are growing into one of the most important platforms for FinTech founders in the Southeast. I am excited to help the next generation of founders navigate underwriting, risk, and go to market with people who have done it before," said Sal Rehmetullah, Founder and CEO of Worth AI.

"The best FinTech companies are built by founders who get the right guidance early, long before they're thinking about growth capital or M&A. Florida Funders has built a strong early-stage FinTech portfolio, and I'm glad to help its founders connect with the expertise and relationships that shape their long-term outcomes," said Steve McLaughlin, Founder, CEO and Managing Partner of FT Partners.

"Florida Funders has built an impressive early-stage FinTech portfolio, and the founders building in this space need people in their corner who have scaled consumer financial products. At Acorns, I've seen what it takes to build a lasting FinTech company, and I'm excited to share what I've learned with the next generation of founders," said Seth Wunder, Global President and CFO at Acorns.

"This board gives our FinTech founders direct access to people who have built, financed and sold category-defining companies," said Rachael Ferm, Director of Investments at Florida Funders. "It also sharpens how we evaluate new opportunities, like our latest investment, PayPath."

FAQ

Q: What is the FLF FinTech Advisory Board?
A: A group of FinTech founders, executives, bankers and investors who advise Florida Funders on its FinTech investment strategy and support its portfolio founders with expertise, introductions and guidance beyond capital.

Q: Who is on the Florida Funders FinTech Advisory Board?
A: Zaid Rahman (Flex), Sal Rehmetullah (Worth AI), Steve McLaughlin (FT Partners), Harrison Kioko (Canapi Ventures) and Seth Wunder (Acorns).

Q: What FinTech companies has Florida Funders invested in?
A: Flex and Mesh (both unicorns), ClassWallet, Worth AI, Marco Capital, Grow Credit, ApexEdge, Jassby, Harness and PayPath.

Q: What sectors does Florida Funders focus on?
A: FinTech, cybersecurity and Enterprise AI.

Q: Does Florida Funders have other advisory boards?
A: Yes. The FLF Cybersecurity Advisory Board launched in March 2026 and includes leaders from A-LIGN, Insight Partners and Lyra Technology Group.

About the FLF FinTech Advisory Board

The FLF FinTech Advisory Board is a group of founders, executives, bankers and investors who help Florida Funders source, evaluate and support early-stage FinTech companies. The board works alongside the Florida Funders investment team to give portfolio founders access to operating expertise, capital markets insight and strategic relationships.

About Florida Funders

Florida Funders (FLF) is a hybrid venture capital fund and investor network that discovers, funds, and builds early-stage technology companies. We combine a $300M+ venture platform with 2,000+ accredited investors to back breakout founders in B2B software, fintech, AI, healthcare, and cybersecurity. Beyond capital, our team of serial entrepreneurs and investors provides operating expertise, strategic introductions, and a nationwide support network that helps founders win. Florida Funders is recognized as one of the top VCs in the Southeast by PitchBook.

Get Connected and Invest

Florida Funders is actively growing its investor base. Fund 1 and Fund 2 are fully deployed. Fund 3 is actively investing. For more information, visit floridafunders.com. Follow the latest news on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

Media Contact:
Cheyenne Stopford for Florida Funders
Cheyenne@floridafunders.com