UNF joins Paysafe, L Marks and City of Jax to launch JAX Hub driving region’s fintech future
The University of North Florida has partnered with the City of Jacksonville, Paysafe, a leading global payments platform, and L Marks, a global corporation innovation leader, to launch JAX Hub to drive innovation and collaboration.
While positioning Jacksonville as a global fintech and innovation center, JAX Hub connects emerging startups and scaleups with established companies and UNF’s graduate talent to co-create solutions for the next generation of financial services. It also aims to strengthen ties with the United Kingdom, where both Paysafe and L Marks are based.
At the heart of JAX Hub is a 10-week innovation project pairing entrepreneurs and innovators with corporate and community partners. This “innovation-lab-meets-Shark-Tank” model provides startups and students the chance to pilot new ideas, refine scalable business models and showcase final solutions to industry and academic leaders.
Startups participating in the program will gain access to industry expertise, real-world testing opportunities, mentorship and Jacksonville’s growing innovation ecosystem—enabling them to develop practical solutions that meet the evolving needs of consumers, businesses and financial institutions.
As a founding partner, UNF’s Coggin College of Business will provide graduate student expertise and applied research support throughout the program. Students in fintech, business analytics, accounting and data analytics programs will collaborate directly with corporate partners, gaining real-world experience analyzing data, developing solutions and addressing industry challenges.
“We are very excited to be part of this important partnership and what it represents for both our students and the Jacksonville community,” said Dr. Albert Loh, interim dean of the Coggin College of Business. “Through JAX Hub, talented graduate students will have the opportunity to engage directly with real companies, explore emerging financial technologies and contribute to innovative solutions. This collaboration strengthens the link between education and industry and supports Jacksonville’s continued growth as a center for financial innovation.”
JAX Hub will help the City of Jacksonville strengthen economic ties with the UK while Paysafe will provide fintech advising for the projects and L Marks will bring its expertise in designing and delivering projects. JAX Hub will build on a UK–Florida Memorandum of Understanding on Trade and Economic Cooperation signed in 2023, representing a flagship outcome of the transatlantic partnership.
Applications for the inaugural JAX Hub cohort are now open and will close Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. Selected companies will begin pilot engagements with program partners in April 2026. For more information or to apply, visit jaxhub.us.