First State Finovation Conference
Live in Newark, Delaware | April 8, 2026
First State Finovation is back for its second year, and we’re bringing the financial innovation ecosystem together under one roof in Delaware. Hosted by CAFE, this high-energy industry gathering convenes financial institutions, investors, fintech founders, regulators, and industry leaders to build real relationships and shape the future of technology that improves people’s financial lives. Expect inspiring keynotes, candid panels, curated networking, and a live Demo Day featuring CAFE’s newest fintech startups solving real-world challenges in financial access, housing, small business growth, and economic mobility. After the incredible response to last year’s Fintechs & Fairways Conference, we’re raising the bar and keeping it open and accessible to all – with no fee for registration.
This year we are featuring a keynote from Wayne Miller, Chief Innovation Officer, ICBA, as well as a fireside chat by Denny Nealon, CEO, Barclays US Consumer Bank and Paul Ricci, CEO, Best Egg. Also a bank-fintech panel moderated by Karyn Polak, CEO, Delaware Bankers Association, and an industry policy panel with esteemed speakers from American Fintech Council, Circle, White & Case and Spencer Fane. CAFE is hosting this event with our partners, Delaware Prosperity Partnership, Chartline and Resilience VC. Additional speakers and sponsor organizations to be announced soon!
Conference speakers
Karyn Polak
CEO, DE Bankers Association
Financial services and legal executive with 20+ years of experience advancing banking innovation, policy leadership, and inclusive access to capital.
Noah Olson
VP Innovation, Delaware Prosperity Partnership
Delaware innovation leader connecting public and private sectors to support startups, strengthen partnerships, and advance entrepreneurial growth statewide.
Sid Pailla
CEO, Sunny Day Fund
Financial wellness and workplace savings innovator, Accenture alum, and founder advancing economic mobility through employer-sponsored solutions.
Denny Nealon
Chief Executive Officer, Barclays US Consumer Bank
Senior banking executive with 25+ years in the U.S. credit card industry, leading consumer banking growth, strategic partnerships, and large-scale financial operations.
Kristen Castell
Managing Director, CAFE
Fintech and financial service leader, former BlackRock and JPM product executive, and tech entrepreneur advancing financial wellness through innovation and community building.
Paul Ricci
CEO, Best Egg
30+ years of experience in financial services and direct-to-consumer marketing. Prior leadership experience as CFO and corporate development.
Theodora Lau
Founder, Unconventional Ventures
Fintech thought leader, author, and speaker shaping the future of tech, finance, and inclusion.
Ian P. Moloney
Chief Policy Officer, American Fintech Council
Fintech regulatory strategist leading policy across the banking ecosystems, with prior leadership roles at AFC, Cross River, and the U.S. GAO.
Martha Underwood
Founder & CEO, Prismm
Fintech founder, building the infrastructure financial institutions need for the largest generational wealth transfer in history.
Rachel Rodman
Partner, White & Case
Litigation and regulatory leader with nearly 20 years advising financial institutions and fintech companies on compliance, enforcement, & complex supervisory.
Wayne Miller
Chief Innovation Officer, ICBA
Fintech and banking innovation leader with 40+ years advancing community bank partnerships and scaling high-growth tech companies.
Jen Mench
VP Product Office, Innovation Lab
Product and transformation leader with 20+ years in financial services, driving innovation and customer-focused strategy at JPMorgan Chase and Barclays.
Mike Bowman
CEO, Delaware Tech Park; President, DE SBDC
Leader of the Delaware SBDC, with prior leadership at DuPont in advanced materials and a background in chemical engineering, finance, and marketing.
Ryan Venderlic
Program Manager, CAFE
Entrepreneur and fintech founder advancing education, financial literacy, and startup ecosystems, with leadership experience at Junior Achievement of Delaware and as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Kenya.
Justin Dunn
Senior Vice President, Chief Community Impact Officer, WSFS Bank
Community impact and financial services leader driving brand growth, philanthropy, and strategic engagement across banking and regional markets.
Mike Silver
Partner, Spencer Fane
Former CFPB regulations leader and leading fintech policy advisor guiding companies through complex and evolving regulatory landscapes.
Sabrina DeVito
Co-Founder & CEO, Find My Chapter 3
Fintech and strategy leader with 30+ years scaling financial services and technology platforms, including Best Egg, where she helped grow to 3M+ customers and $35B in originations.
Ian P. Moloney
Chief Policy Officer, American Fintech Council
Fintech regulatory strategist leading policy across the banking ecosystems, with prior leadership roles at AFC, Cross River, and the U.S. GAO.
Justin Dunn
Senior Vice President, Chief Community Impact Officer, WSFS Bank
Community impact and financial services leader driving brand growth, philanthropy, and strategic engagement across banking and regional markets.
Kristen Castell
Managing Director, CAFE
Fintech and financial service leader, former BlackRock and JPM product executive, and tech entrepreneur advancing financial wellness through innovation and community building.
Mike Bowman
CEO, Delaware Tech Park; President DE SBDC
Leader of the Delaware SBDC, with prior leadership at DuPont in advanced materials and a background in chemical engineering, finance, and marketing.
Noah Olson
VP Innovation, Delaware Prosperity Partnership
Delaware innovation leader connecting public and private sectors to support startups, strengthen partnerships, and advance entrepreneurial growth statewide.
Rachel Rodman
Partner, White & Case
Litigation and regulatory leader with nearly 20 years advising financial institutions and fintech companies on compliance, enforcement, & complex supervisory.
Denny Nealon
Chief Executive Officer for Barclays US Consumer Bank
Senior banking executive with 25+ years in the U.S. credit card industry, leading consumer banking growth, strategic partnerships, and large-scale financial operations.
Jen Mench
VP Product Office, Innovation Lab
Product and transformation leader with 20+ years in financial services, driving innovation and customer-focused strategy at JPMorgan Chase and Barclays.
Karyn Polak
CEO, DE Bankers Association
Financial services and legal executive with 20+ years of experience advancing banking innovation, policy leadership, and inclusive access to capital.
Martha Underwood
Founder & CEO, Prismm
Fintech founder, building the infrastructure financial institutions need for the largest generational wealth transfer in history.
Mike Silver
Partner, Spencer Fane
Former CFPB regulations leader and leading fintech policy advisor guiding companies through complex and evolving regulatory landscapes.
Paul Ricci
CEO, Best Egg
30+ years of experience in financial services and direct-to-consumer marketing. Prior leadership experience as CFO and corporate development.
Ryan Venderlic
Program Manager, CAFE
Entrepreneur and fintech founder advancing education, financial literacy, and startup ecosystems, with leadership experience at Junior Achievement of Delaware and as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Kenya.
Sabrina DeVito
Co-Founder & CEO, Find My Chapter 3
Fintech and strategy leader with 30+ years scaling financial services and technology platforms, including Best Egg, where she helped grow to 3M+ customers and $35B in originations.
Sid Pailla
CEO, Sunny Day Fund
Financial wellness and workplace savings innovator, Accenture alum, and founder advancing economic mobility through employer-sponsored solutions.
Theodora Lau
Founder, Unconventional Ventures
Fintech thought leader, author, and speaker shaping the future of tech, finance, and inclusion.
Wayne Miller
Chief Innovation Officer, ICBA
Fintech and banking innovation leader with 40+ years advancing community bank partnerships and scaling high-growth tech companies.
Denny Nealon
Chief Executive Officer for Barclays US Consumer Bank
Senior banking executive with 25+ years in the U.S. credit card industry, leading consumer banking growth, strategic partnerships, and large-scale financial operations.
Ian P. Moloney
Chief Policy Officer, American Fintech Council
Fintech regulatory strategist leading policy across the banking ecosystems, with prior leadership roles at AFC, Cross River, and the U.S. GAO.
Jen Mench
VP Product Office, Innovation Lab
Product and transformation leader with 20+ years in financial services, driving innovation and customer-focused strategy at JPMorgan Chase and Barclays.
Justin Dunn
Senior Vice President, Chief Community Impact Officer, WSFS Bank
Community impact and financial services leader driving brand growth, philanthropy, and strategic engagement across banking and regional markets.
Karyn Polak
CEO, DE Bankers Association
Financial services and legal executive with 20+ years of experience advancing banking innovation, policy leadership, and inclusive access to capital.
Kristen Castell
Managing Director, CAFE
Fintech and financial service leader, former BlackRock and JPM product executive, and tech entrepreneur advancing financial wellness through innovation and community building.
Martha Underwood
Founder & CEO, Prismm
Fintech founder, building the infrastructure financial institutions need for the largest generational wealth transfer in history.
Mike Bowman
CEO, Delaware Tech Park; President DE SBDC
Leader of the Delaware SBDC, with prior leadership at DuPont in advanced materials and a background in chemical engineering, finance, and marketing.
Mike Silver
Partner, Spencer Fane
Former CFPB regulations leader and leading fintech policy advisor guiding companies through complex and evolving regulatory landscapes.
Noah Olson
VP Innovation, Delaware Prosperity Partnership
Delaware innovation leader connecting public and private sectors to support startups, strengthen partnerships, and advance entrepreneurial growth statewide.
Paul Ricci
CEO, Best Egg
30+ years of experience in financial services and direct-to-consumer marketing. Prior leadership experience as CFO and corporate development.
Rachel Rodman
Partner, White & Case
Litigation and regulatory leader with nearly 20 years advising financial institutions and fintech companies on compliance, enforcement, & complex supervisory.
Ryan Venderlic
Program Manager, CAFE
Entrepreneur and fintech founder advancing education, financial literacy, and startup ecosystems, with leadership experience at Junior Achievement of Delaware and as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Kenya.
Sabrina DeVito
Founder & CEO, Find My Chapter 3
Fintech and strategy leader with 30+ years scaling financial services and technology platforms, including Best Egg, where she helped grow to 3M+ customers and $35B in originations.
Sid Pailla
CEO, Sunny Day Fund
Financial wellness and workplace savings innovator, Accenture alum, and founder advancing economic mobility through employer-sponsored solutions.
Theodora Lau
Founder, Unconventional Ventures
Fintech thought leader, author, and speaker shaping the future of tech, finance, and inclusion.
Wayne Miller
Chief Innovation Officer, ICBA
Fintech and banking innovation leader with 40+ years advancing community bank partnerships and scaling high-growth tech companies.
Conference Schedule
Wednesday, April
08
09.00am
Registration & Breakfast, Networking
9.30am
Welcome Remarks
- Welcome Remarks from CAFE (Kristen Castell, MD, CAFE)
- Welcome to the Fintech Innovation Hub (Mike Bowman, CEO DTP)
- Welcome to Delaware (Noah Olson, VP Innovation, DPP)
10.00am
Keynote Presentation: Banking on Customer Experience
Stablecoins, Digital Assets & Financial Technologies Built for Real Life
Featuring: Wayne Miller, Chief Innovation Officer, ICBA
As financial technology reshapes the industry, one question matters most: how does it improve people’s everyday financial lives? In this forward-looking keynote, we’ll explore how community banks and innovators are thinking about customer experience in an era defined by stablecoins, digital assets, embedded finance, and AI.
From trust and transparency to speed, security, and inclusion, this session will examine how emerging technologies can strengthen (not replace) the human relationships at the heart of banking. Expect big-picture insights on where innovation is headed and how financial institutions can responsibly adopt new technologies while keeping customers at the center.
10.30am
CEO Fireside Chat: Barclays & Best Egg
- Denny Nealon, CEO, Barclays US Consumer Bank
- Paul Ricci, CEO, Best Egg
- Moderated by Sabrina DeVito, Founder & CEO, Find My Chapter 3
Following the acquisition announcement of Best Egg by Barclays, this conversation brings together the CEOs of both organizations to discuss the strategic rationale behind the deal and what it signals for the future of bank-fintech partnerships. We’ll explore how legacy institutions and digital lenders can combine strengths to deliver smarter credit, scale innovation, and build financial products to meet the ever-changing needs of consumers. Expect insights on culture, growth strategy, and what this moment means for the broader fintech ecosystem.
11.00am
Panel: Purpose + Profit: Bank & Fintech Partnerships
- Moderated by Karyn Polak, CEO, DE Bankers Association
- Justin Dunn, SVP, Chief Community Impact Officer, WSFS Bank
- Jen Mench, VP Product Office, Innovation Lab
- Martha Underwood, (Fintech Founder, Prismm)
- Sid Pailla, (Fintech Founder, Sunny Day Fund)
As financial services rapidly evolve, collaboration between banks and fintechs has never been more critical, or more complex. This engaging panel brings together leaders from financial institutions and high-growth fintech companies to discuss how partnerships are formed, where they break down, and what it takes to move from pilot to scalable impact. From regulatory realities and risk management to AI, embedded finance, and emerging technologies, we’ll explore how both sides can align incentives, accelerate innovation, and deliver solutions that strengthen financial health and economic opportunity. Expect candid insights, practical lessons, and a forward-looking view of what successful collaboration looks like in the years ahead.
11.45am
Networking Coffee Break
12.00pm
CAFE Fintech Accelerator Showcase
(Ryan Venderlic, Program Manager, CAFE)
CAFE Spring 2026 Fintech Accelerator companies take the stage to showcase innovative solutions expanding access to credit, housing, savings, and financial resilience. Fast-paced, high-impact, and built for real-world change, where innovation meets opportunity.
DocuGuardian – Lori Selsberg (CEO) David Selsberg (COO)
iTuring.ai – Suman Singh (CEO) Valsan Ponnachath (President)
Remynt – Gwyneth Borden (Founder/CEO)
Sail – Danny Friday (Founder/CEO) Yin Mei (Strategy & Ops)
Spheros – Derrick Walton (CEO) Kathryn Outlaw (COO)
Valusync – Jennifer Lewis (Founder/CEO)
Vroombrick – Leland Remias (CEO) Tim Piatt (Head of Partnerships)
Zolidar – Ashish Agrawal (CEO) Sonali Kothari (COO)
1.00pm
Lunch & Networking, Sponsored by Spencer Fane
2.00pm
Fintech Speed Round: Traction to Transformation
In this rapid-fire session, CAFE alumni companies and Resilience VC and Chartline portfolio companies deliver high-energy pitches showcasing their solutions tackling real financial challenges and banking innovations. Discover bold ideas, meet the builders behind them, and start meaningful relationships for partnerships.
2.45pm
TED-Style Talk: AI is the New OS
Featuring: Theo Lau, Founder, Unconventional Ventures, Author, American Banker Top 20 Most Influential Women in Fintech
What does LLM think about our bank in this new era? From transactions to intelligent relationships – how are financial institutions and fintech building the financial operating system of tomorrow.
3.00pm
Panel: Policy, Power & the Future of Fintech
Innovation is moving fast… and regulation is racing to keep up. This high-impact panel brings together policy leaders and legal experts to break down what’s really happening across fintech, stablecoins, bank partnerships, and consumer protection.
Where is regulation headed? What should founders, banks, and investors be watching now? And how do you innovate boldly while staying compliant? Expect sharp insights, real-world perspective, and a forward-looking discussion on how to build in today’s rapidly shifting regulatory environment.
Speakers:
- Andy Gallucci (Senior Director of Regulatory Strategy, Circle)
- Ian Moloney (Chief Policy Officer, American Fintech Council)
- Rachel Rodman (Partner, White & Case)
- Mike G. Silver (Partner, Spencer Fane) – Moderator
4.00pm
CAFE Connections Speed Networking
High-impact connections, fast! Join us for structured, 5-minute 1:1 conversations designed to spark meaningful relationships across banks, fintechs, investors, and industry leaders. Guided prompts, rotating tables, and real opportunities to connect, all in one energizing session.
5.00pm
Closing Remarks
5.30pm – 7.30pm
Fun Outing & Networking
Located at Main Event (near Christiana Mall)
Keep the conversations going and have some fun while you’re at it. Join us at Main Event near Christiana Mall for an evening of relaxed networking, appetizers, drinks, and a little friendly competition. Whether you’re bowling, trying laser tag, or just connecting over a cocktail, this is where great relationships continue to build beyond the conference room.
Partners and Supporting Organizations
