Open Payments Accelerator

Billions of people still lack access to affordable, reliable financial services because systems are fragmented, costly, and hard to connect to. The Open Payments Accelerator grant program supports early-stage founders and developers building digital financial services for underserved communities, helping them move from idea to proof of concept (PoC) through 4 months of intense mentorship and funding.

Our goal is to lower barriers for innovators, grow a pipeline of Interledger-enabled solutions, and bring more people into accessible, interoperable financial systems.

Timeline: Applications opens on Monday, June 1, 2026 and closes on Tuesday, June 30, 2026 (11:59 PM EDT)

Before you apply please review the Program Resource Kit for templates, application guidance, and key details to help you submit a strong application

Why apply?

Grantees will receive support designed to move teams from problem definition to a demo-ready proof of concept (PoC). Benefits include:

• USD 50,000 in funding
• 4-month to build your PoC
• Technical workshops & mentorship
• Cohort learning & ecosystem access.
• Chance to showcase PoC at the next Interledger Summit.

Expected Timeline

• August  - Onboarding and Design: Problem validation, initial technical design, and mentor matching.
• September - PoC Development: Teams build functional prototypes with ongoing mentorship and peer learning.
• October - Refinement: Continued mentorship to strengthen solutions and sustainable business models.
• November - Demo Prep & Execution: Pitch preparation and continued mentorship, Virtual Demo Day presentations.

The Accelerator culminates in a competitive Virtual Demo Day in November, where teams will pitch for the opportunity to present their Proof of Concept (PoC) at the next Interledger Summit. Selected teams will also receive additional funding to support their preparation for the Summit and ensure their PoC is fully refined and demo-ready for presentation.