September 23, 2025 – New York — Global payments leader Mastercard has announced the latest cohort of its Start Path Emerging Fintech Program, selecting 11 innovative startups from across the world to accelerate next-generation financial technology solutions. The announcement was made on September 22, 2025, underscoring Mastercard’s ongoing commitment to nurturing fintech innovation.
The selected startups — AraxaTech, Hyperlayer, Kamina, Firmly, Amnis, Qawn, Save Your Wardrobe, MoovnPay, Pentatonic, Circulae, and Circulayo — were chosen through a competitive global process for their expertise in high-growth areas including AI-driven credit access, treasury management, sustainable commerce, and circular economy technologies.
Focus on Sustainability and Circular Commerce
Several members of the new cohort are dedicated to advancing environmentally conscious financial services.
– Save Your Wardrobe offers customizable technology infrastructure for after-sale services.
– Circulae integrates automated resale and reuse options into payment systems, helping consumers regain purchasing power while reducing waste.
This emphasis reflects Mastercard’s broader strategy to embed sustainable consumption and lifecycle management into the future of commerce.
Voices from the Cohort
“A new infrastructure paradigm for banks and fintechs can seamlessly combine the best solutions from different providers for an optimized customer experience,” said Ivan Radovanovic, founder of AraxaTech.
Rob Rooney, CEO of Hyperlayer, added that the future of financial services will be “agentic and personal,” requiring real-time feedback loops across all parties in the ecosystem.
A Decade of Start Path Impact
Since its launch in 2014, Start Path has supported more than 475 startups across 60+ countries, with 11 alumni achieving unicorn status and collectively raising over $5 billion in venture capital. What began as a program focused mainly on payments has evolved to include blockchain, open banking, cybersecurity, and sustainability solutions, making it one of the most influential corporate-backed accelerators in fintech.
Industry Significance
By selecting a diverse and sustainability-oriented group of innovators, Mastercard is signaling a clear strategic focus on AI, digital infrastructure, and circular commerce as pillars of the next wave of financial services. Analysts say the 2025 cohort may serve as a blueprint for how major payment networks partner with startups to reshape global commerce.
