Adyen announces four startup accelerator programs for 2023 after success with social enterprise jeweller, Pivot

Adyen (ADYEN:AMS), the global financial technology platform of choice for leading businesses, today announces the launch of four accelerator programs following the success of EMEA accelerator winner, Pivot. 

Alongside the relaunch of the Amsterdam based EMEA program, the new accelerators will include three new regions; Dubai, Chicago and São Paulo, selected for their wealth of budding enterprises and importance of the local markets for Adyen’s international business growth. 

Earlier this year, London-based jewellery social enterprise, Pivot, won Adyen’s accelerator program, now in its second year. The program gives EMEA-based social enterprises and ‘impact startups’ access to free strategy, finance, marketing, and commercial workshops for one week. At the end of the week, participants pitch with the chance to win a week of dedicated business support and funding to go towards the founders’ salary. 

Pivot was selected as the winner thanks to its mission to bring meaningful and flexible employment to those living in temporary accommodation, giving people the confidence and creative skills needed to lift themselves out of homelessness by making jewellery items from sustainable sources.  

Six months on from winning the original EMEA prize, Pivot is preparing to take over a physical store for the first time. It will have access to Adyen’s enterprise-grade financial technology, with omnichannel solutions that will give the social enterprise new, rich customer insights. Data will be able to inform the team on what products are working well, helping to drive creativity in product development as well as future commercial strategies with cross-channel purchasing experiences for customers. 

The enterprise will be selling its jewellery alongside other brands in Adyen’s Amsterdam storefront throughout December. Gifts and Christmas decorations made by people experiencing homelessness will be available for purchase and on the 1st of December the Pivot team will be leading a jewellery-making workshop, demonstrating how they train their makers. 

“Adyen’s accelerator program has given us the tools and skills we need to grow our business and expand our mission at a rate we could once only dream of. We launched Pivot during the pandemic and we’re now in the midst of a cost of living crisis”, said Alice Moxley, Founder of Pivot. 

“Today’s business environment is incredibly challenging, but it’s made our mission even more pertinent. We want to help alleviate the effects of homelessness by giving people new skills, empowering them with confidence and the ability to get out there and earn a living for themselves. We’re so incredibly excited to take our concept to Amsterdam and give shoppers the chance to buy goods that have been made by those living in temporary accommodation and homeless shelters. Every purchase will help those who need it most.”

“The work Pivot does to help take people out of homelessness is inspirational and their impact stuck with us”, said Brian O’Malley, Head of Sustainability at Adyen. “If we’re going to end homelessness then we must empower people with the skills they need to find employment and sustain themselves.

“We want to share our experience and success with other businesses in the community, helping to fuel the next stage of their journeys. It’s an opportunity for Adyen to give back, and we look to support enterprises that are advancing sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, as per the UN’s sustainable development goals. We’re excited to support Pivot’s growth journey and to extend our support of other enterprises with the new accelerator programs in 2023.”

For more information on Adyen’s accelerator program please visit here. 

About Adyen

Adyen (AMS: ADYEN) is the financial technology platform of choice for leading companies. By providing end-to-end payments capabilities, data-driven insights, and financial products in a single global solution, Adyen helps businesses achieve their ambitions faster. With offices around the world, Adyen works with the likes of Facebook, Uber, H&M, eBay, and Microsoft. 

About Pivot

Pivot is a London-based social enterprise that teaches people experiencing homelessness to design, make and sell , while providing coaching and financial support. 

Founded in February 2020, just 49 days before the first UK lockdown, Pivot has now worked with almost 150 people across 15 homelessness services in southern England. It has been awarded a number of accolades for its work to help end homelessness and its collection designs. As well as being awarded the Point of Light award in 2021 by the UK Prime Minister, it was listed as Natwest x Pioneer Post’s Top 100 Social Enterprise and shortlisted for the Trail Blazing Newcomer award in 2022. Pivot received the Shackleton Leadership Award in 2020, won the Deutsche Bank Awards for Creative Entrepreneurs and Adyen’s 2022 Accelerator programme. In 2022, Pivot’s founder Alice Moxley was named one of Pioneer Post x Natwest’s “Women of inspiration” and was one of five shortlisted for the “Star of the Future” award.