Pinnacle Financial Partners, Tarkenton and gener8tor Launch FinTech Accelerator for Underrepresented Founders in Atlanta

Downtown Atlanta PEER Center to House Business Incubator

Pinnacle Financial Partners, Tarkenton Companies, and gener8tor are banding together to provide new business opportunities for underrepresented founders in the local financial community.

The organizations are launching a startup accelerator with Pinnacle making the initial investment of $1 million.

The announcement and check presentation took place at the grand opening of the Pinnacle Economic Empowerment Resource (PEER) Center on Thursday, May 15, 2025. L-R: Office Leader Tracey Powell, Pinnacle Director Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover, Mayor Andre Dickens, Regional President Rob Garcia, Community Development Coordinator Yvette Humphries and Financial Advisor Aaron Binion.

Designed to supercharge innovation and entrepreneurship in the Southeast, gener8tor specifically supports those who have historically lacked access to capital, mentorship, and growth infrastructure.

This powerful collaboration brings together three forces: an Atlanta business legend with a passion for entrepreneurs, one of the Southeast’s fastest-growing banks known for its deep community investments, and an internationally respected accelerator program with a proven mentorship-driven model.

Fran Tarkenton, NFL Hall of Famer and founder of Tarkenton Companies, stated:

“Georgia and Atlanta have been central to my life—from my days as a quarterback to the past five decades building companies and partnerships. I've always believed the mission of business is to help people. This program brings together three organizations that live that mission to support the next generation of business builders, job creators, and difference-makers.”

The inaugural cohort will include five high-potential FinTech startups led by diverse founders solving real-world financial challenges. Participants will be selected for their vision, innovation, traction, and potential impact.

Programming will be powered by gener8tor’s nationally ranked model, which has helped accelerator alumni raise $2.4B+ and create more than 13,000 jobs. Founders will work, learn, and network from the newly opened Pinnacle Economic Empowerment Resource (PEER) Center at 384 Northyards Blvd. NW—a hub for financial education and business support designed to uplift underserved communities.

“We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive in the communities we serve,” said Rob Garcia, regional president at Pinnacle Financial Partners. “The PEER Center is a vital tool in building a local support system that helps every individual and entrepreneur—especially those who have historically been left out of the conversation—chart a path to financial independence and extend opportunity through the jobs they create”

Emily Wykle, Regional Vice President at gener8tor, added:

“We’re excited to partner with Pinnacle Financial Partners, Fran Tarkenton and his companies on this critical initiative. Together, we’re creating a powerful platform and catalyst for founders and startups to scale and succeed. This reflects our belief that communities succeed when they invest in their best and brightest.”

The accelerator kicks off in Q3 2025.

Applications for the inaugural five-company cohort open in June.

Founders can learn more and apply at gener8tor.com.

About Pinnacle Financial Partners
Pinnacle Financial Partners provides a full range of banking, investment, trust, mortgage, and insurance products and services designed for businesses and owners and individuals interested in a comprehensive relationship with their financial institution. It is the top-ranked bank in the Nashville-Murfreesboro-Franklin MSA and No. 9 on FORTUNE’s 2025 Best Companies to Work For® list. With $54.3 billion in assets, Pinnacle operates across urban markets in the Southeast. Pinnacle expanded to Georgia in 2020 by hiring a team of local financial services professionals to start an office in Atlanta. The firm was named to the list of Best Places to Work in Atlanta, medium company category, four years in a row by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, including a No. 1 ranking in 2022 and No. 2 in 2023.

Learn more at pnfp.com.

About Tarkenton Companies
Tarkenton Companies include brands such as Tarkenton Financial, GoSmallBiz.com, Liger, and Tarkenton Private Capital. Through professional services, enterprise SaaS, and SMB solutions, the company helps its partners and clients drive innovation and achieve sustainable growth.

Learn more: tarkentoncompanies.com

About gener8tor
gener8tor fosters innovation ecosystems through its accelerator programs, venture funds, and skills-based workforce initiatives. With a strong track record of supporting high-growth companies, gener8tor has expanded across the U.S. and internationally, building partnerships with governments, corporations, and economic development organizations to drive entrepreneurship and economic impact.

Learn more: gener8tor.com