Google has announced 12 startups to participate in the North American Google for Startups Accelerator: Black Founders class of 2023.

Headlining the group is Kingsley Madu, founder and CEO of Hamilton-based startup Expedier, a Black-led banking platform offering financial solutions to underbanked BIPOC communities.

“Expedier was born from my personal experience and pain,” Madu said in a recent interview with Google. “When I came to North America, I was financially stranded from the second I landed in the airport. I didn’t have a credit card so I couldn’t get a rideshare, rent a car or book a hotel. Every landlord required six months of credit history before they would let me lease a property, but the banks required a home address before I could open a (chequing) account or apply for a credit card. The banking system was not built for me or Canada’s eight million immigrants.”

Expedier will join 11 other Black-led startups in the North American Google for Startups Accelerator: Black Founders class of 2023. In its fourth year and founded in 2020, the 10-week intensive digital accelerator provides equity-free technical support, mentorship, and access to the best of Google’s people and technology.

See the complete list of participants here. “I’m particularly excited about the opportunity to leverage Google’s extensive resources and expertise tailored to technology startups. That includes the prospect of receiving strong mentorship, technical project support and access to Google’s innovative programs and products. Looking forward to learning about business strategies and marketing knowledge on building a one-billion user product,” Madu said.

Madu added that he hopes the cohort will help the Hamilton, Ont.-based company across Canada reach new audiences and significantly underrepresented communities. At a time when immigrants need personalized financial services, partnerships with local communities and an economic system that understands the culture, Expedier aims to cover the gap.

“The traditional, geographically restrictive, 'one size fits all' banking system is broken and unable to serve the newer generation that requires a different kind of banking system, especially one tailored to their needs,” Madu said. “With Expedier, every user transcends the physical banking structures by having their money where it belongs and is readily accessible — through our digital banking solution.”

Madu has gone from bootstrapping for three years to $5 million in processed volume. It closed several partnership deals with global banks and was recognized as a Top 12 fintech firm by Platform Calgary.

“I’m excited to ignite transformative change for immigrants with banking challenges globally. We’ve built and continue to enhance a global product, waiting to be placed in the hands of over a billion users and change the lives of those looking to establish a new one,” he said.