FIS™ (NYSE: FIS), a global leader in financial services technology, has announced a collaboration with The Venture Center to launch the FinTech Accelerator. Powered by FIS, this is an initiative committed to accelerating development and innovation in the global financial technology industry.

The FinTech Accelerator is a 15-week, intensive program designed to accelerate the growth of early stage financial technology ventures. FIS will collaborate with The Venture Center, a Little Rock, Ark.-based organization that provides expertise for entities in business, government and education with a proven, comprehensive accelerator model that supports and guides startup founders to viability.

The highly selective program will admit up to 10 financial technology startups poised to challenge the status quo in the financial services sector. Startups chosen to participate in the FinTech Accelerator will enter a several-month program, complete with curriculum that will help them plan strategically, address business and finance challenges, and provide rigorous mentorship from successful industry experts from FIS and the broader financial services community.

“At FIS we’re investing in innovation that keeps our clients competitive in today’s environment while also looking at what the global financial services industry will look like in the future,” said Gary Norcross, FIS president and CEO. “We’re excited to partner with The Venture Center on this initiative and to further establish Little Rock and Central Arkansas as a desirable location to start and grow a business.”

“FIS has been a key player in the financial services space not only in Central Arkansas, but around the world,” said Lee Watson, president and CEO, The Venture Center. “The Venture Center is proud to partner with FIS on this initiative, which provides FinTech startups access to the largest financial services technology company in the world. This joint effort will provide FIS increased access to the top FinTech innovators in the world while supporting the growth of the financial services sector.”

The FinTech Accelerator will serve as a means of “fast-forwarding” innovation and entrepreneurial efforts. To learn more about the program and to be notified when applications go live in early 2016, visit http://www.venturecenter.co/fintech-accelerator.

The FinTech Accelerator announcement was part of Norcross’ keynote address at the 150^th annual meeting of the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce.