ICBA Welcomes BankTech Ventures As Latest ThinkTECH Sponsor To Support Community Banking Innovation

BankTech Ventures joins as a premier sponsor, providing insights to further strengthen community-bank fintech partnerships and its evolving ecosystem

Washington, D.C. (Sept. 15, 2025)— The Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) announced today BankTech Ventures, a leading strategic investment fund focused on financial technology companies serving community banks, is the newest sponsor for ICBA’s acclaimed ThinkTECH Accelerator and related innovation programming. The sponsorship supports ICBA’s ongoing efforts to further advance community bank innovation and foster an environment where community banks flourish.

BankTech Ventures was founded to support the community banking industry, with the mission to generate both strategic value and financial returns for its investors. Community bank investors see not only returns, but also gain direct, early access to well-vetted fintech solutions that are aligned with the operational and customer experience needs of today’s community banks.

“We are grateful to BankTech Ventures for supporting our vision to continue elevating community banking innovation through ICBA’s ThinkTECH initiatives,” said ICBA Senior Executive Vice President, Innovation Kevin Tweddle. “This relationship is a natural fit and adds tremendous value for ICBA members, giving them the opportunity to participate as well as invest in the future of community banking. Acting for many as the R&D arm of the community banking industry, BankTech Ventures offers deep, impactful insights on the top issues driving banking decision-makers today, which will help our members meet their evolving needs while directly investing in innovation for their institutions and the communities they serve.”

As a premier sponsor of ICBA’s innovation initiatives, BankTech Ventures joins other top industry leaders including Mastercard, Fiserv, Wipfli and Ncontracts committed to supporting bank-enabling fintech collaborations that are critical to meeting the diverse needs and demands of today’s evolving financial landscape. This backing will help fuel key ICBA programs, including the upcoming milestone 10th iteration of ICBA’s nationally recognized ThinkTECH Accelerator program, as well as ThinkTECH Solutions Forums, Alumni Showcases, and other innovation-driven community bank programming.

"We are thrilled to continue serving the community banking industry through our affiliation with ICBA, an organization that shares our deep commitment for supporting the collaborations that fuel community banking innovation," said Carey Ransom, managing director for BankTech Ventures. "Investing in R&D and ultimately the disruptive companies solving for community bank pain points and opportunities is so vital to ensure that we as an industry evolve and move forward together."

For more information about ICBA innovation programming and the ThinkTECH Accelerator, visit www.icba.org/innovation/innovation.

About BankTech Ventures
BankTech Ventures identifies and invests in leading bank technology companies and is deeply entrenched in community banking to ensure its companies work effectiveely and efficiently with banks to deliver maximum value and impact. BankTech’s unparalleled ecosystem is designed to deliver compelling innovation with community banks at the center of it all - bringing together bankers, industry organizations, and tech founders to work collaboratively to accelerate innovation in banking. Follow BankTech on LinkedIn and X. For more information, visit https://www.banktechventures.com/.

About ICBA
The Independent Community Bankers of America® has one mission: to create and promote an environment where community banks flourish. We power the potential of the nation’s community banks through effective advocacy, education, and innovation.

As local and trusted sources of credit, America’s community banks leverage their relationship-based business model and innovative offerings to channel deposits into the neighborhoods they serve, creating jobs, fostering economic prosperity, and fueling their customers’ financial goals and dreams. For more information, visit ICBA’s website at icba.org.