‘it’s like stepping on the Autobahn’ • St Pete Catalyst

Five months after his last role as director of the long-awaited Fintech Center at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, Michael D. Wiemer is still full of excitement.

There are good reasons for Wiemer to radiate enthusiasm for the future of the Fintech Center at the Kate Tiedemann School of Business and Finance, which operates under the USF Muma College of Business. At an event celebrating its opening in April, just two months after school officials appointed Wiemer to the position, Tiedemann and Ellen Cotton donated a $ 14 million “transformation” gift to help the facility become a “hub of excellence” in financial matters. technology education.

The center recently concluded the month of June by showcasing the 16 launches that included Tampa Bay Wave and USF’s first Fintech | X Accelerator cohort, which it houses.

“It’s exciting because it represents so much about St. Pete and Tampa Bay, but also about the future of the business,” Wiemer said of the financial support.

“And then the second part is the accelerator program which really, for all intents and purposes, was probably our first major project for the center.”

Wiemer credited Linda Olson, CEO of Tampa Bay Wave, and her “remarkable team” for their partnership in creating the program. He said the accelerator exemplifies what USF’s management hopes to achieve at the center, calling it a privilege and an honor to serve as the facility’s director.

Wiemer noted the support from a “fantastic community” around the center and called the collaboration between an R1 research-intensive university and a leader in technological innovation such as Tampa Bay Wave – and many other partners – “unique.”

“That says a lot about Tampa Bay,” he added. “And so we are very excited and honored.”

From left: Moez Limayem, former dean of the USF Muma College of Business; Ellen Cotton and Kate Tiedemann, philanthropists; USF President Rhea Law; House Speaker Chris Sprowls; and rapporteur Ken Welch. Photo by Mark Parker.

The director bases his opinion of the center, its partners and the region on a wealth of experience. Wiemer is a C-level leader with over two decades of progressive leadership in business education. He called his background unique because of the global aspect.

Prior to his new role, Wiemer served as head of America for AACSB International. In a release, USF called the organization the world’s foremost approver and largest association of business schools.

AACSB, Wiemer said, accredited Muma Business School along with those from places like Harvard, Stanford and Wharton. He said his past work has enabled him to witness “truly amazing innovations” from global business education leaders and universities around the world.

“So, to bring this insight into the management of the center – I think I have some things to contribute,” Wiemer said.

He added that with the $ 14 million gift and brainpower, intellectual capacity and human capital at USF, he intends to build the center into a global leader in fintech education, research and innovation.

“And perhaps most important of all, fintech business and economic development,” Wiemer said. “These places are truly representative of the bleeding edge of change for education.

“One of the things we embrace, and something I have great faith in and that I have worked on a lot in the past, is how do you help the university’s business schools get involved in business in a very meaningful and valuable way?”

Weimer said that these high, deep partnerships benefit companies and schools by leveraging the “curriculum currency” as local leaders learn from the program while the university trains future industry leaders.

Fintech, Weimer said, is already affecting almost every aspect of people’s lives. He said that it is changing traditional industries such as banking, financial services and insurance, and that the subject is receiving significant national attention.

However, he called the embrace of fintech across the region “uniquely huge.” Wiemer noted Mayor Ken Welch’s enthusiasm for the center, along with support from the private sector from the St. Petersburg Area Economic Development Corporation and Joe Hamilton, publisher of Catalyst.

“I think it has meant a lot because USF is now becoming a hub for these talks for this education,” Wiemer said. “And I’ll tell you, at this point in my career, it’s such a privilege – and almost like stepping on the Autobahn with fintech accelerator tracks.

“These conversations are full of wonderful, inspiring leaders, great ideas – and we all work to promote it.”

Tampa Bay Wave founder Linda Olson welcomes attendees to the fintech accelerator program pitch night event in St. Petersburg. Photo by Veronica Brezina.

Weimer said he is objectively pleased with the success of the first Fintech | X Accelerator cohort, especially with the diversity of the 16 founders. Five startups were from Israel, England, Saudi Arabia and Germany, respectively, and all but one were headquartered outside Florida.

Three of the founders were women, and the cohort also included military veterans, minorities and members of the LBGTQ community. Wiemer said many of the startups have already entered into discussions with venture capital firms for financing.

Going forward, Wiemer said he wants to further increase the diversity of the program’s cohort and intensify engagement with the surrounding business community.

“Many expressed interest in setting up their new store here in St. Pete and Tampa Bay,” he added. “So it’s a nice added element of value and building ecosystem.”

Finally, Wiemer said he plans to increase student engagement in the accelerator. He called students who are experiencing the “amazing process” of new companies becoming more competitive and focused a huge learning opportunity.

He wants students to observe and talk to the founders as part of their USF education, and believes that knowledge will help them become “fantastic entrepreneurs, or intrapreneurs, in themselves.”

Wiemer said it is a privilege for USF to call Tampa Bay home, since the region has a unique entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem. He called it a competitive advantage over other areas and a reason why large companies in the area – such as ARK Invest – have moved to the region.

“So, for us as a public university, we are able to truly fulfill our mission by supporting the community, engaging and creating value,” Wiemer said. “We are honored, privileged, and excited for the 10, 20, 30 – 100 years of doing this work here in Tampa Bay.”