New UNF partnership aims to foster fintech innovation – Action News Jax

JAX Hub Initiative: A Multi-Stakeholder Partnership for Sustainable Development

Introduction and Core Objectives

A new strategic partnership has been formed in Jacksonville, Florida, to launch the JAX Hub initiative. This collaboration involves the University of North Florida (UNF), the City of Jacksonville, and international corporate partners Paysafe and L Marks. The primary objective is to cultivate an innovation ecosystem within the financial technology (fintech) sector, directly addressing key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The initiative aims to connect emerging startups with established industry leaders and UNF’s graduate-level talent, fostering a cycle of innovation and economic growth that aligns with global sustainability targets.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The JAX Hub program is fundamentally structured to advance several SDGs through its operational model:

• SDG 4: Quality Education: The initiative provides UNF graduate students with invaluable experiential learning. By working directly with corporate partners on real-world industry challenges, students in fintech, business analytics, and data analytics programs receive applied research experience that enhances their educational outcomes and future employability.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: By incubating startups and developing new business models, JAX Hub directly promotes sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth. It creates a pipeline for high-value jobs and fosters an environment conducive to entrepreneurship and decent work for all.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The core function of JAX Hub is to build resilient infrastructure for innovation. The 10-week project serves as a laboratory for developing and piloting new fintech solutions, thereby strengthening the region’s industrial and technological capacity.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: This initiative exemplifies a multi-stakeholder partnership, uniting academia (UNF), government (City of Jacksonville), and the private sector (Paysafe, L Marks) from both local and international spheres. This collaborative approach is essential for achieving sustainable development objectives.

Program Structure and Participant Roles

JAX Hub is designed as a 10-week intensive innovation project where startups and students can develop and present solutions to industry leaders. The roles within this ecosystem are clearly defined to maximize collaborative impact and contribute to the SDGs.

1. University of North Florida: The Coggin College of Business will provide critical academic support. Graduate students will apply their expertise to analyze data, develop solutions, and support partner companies, fulfilling the program’s commitment to SDG 4.
2. Corporate Partners: Paysafe, a payments platform, and L Marks, a corporate innovation leader, will provide industry mentorship, resources, and real-world challenges for startups and students to address, driving progress toward SDG 9.
3. Startups and Innovators: Participants will have the opportunity to pilot new technologies and business models, contributing to the dynamic economic environment envisioned in SDG 8.
4. City of Jacksonville: The city’s involvement underscores a public commitment to fostering an economic climate that supports innovation and sustainable growth, a key tenet of SDG 17.

Timeline and Application Process

The program is actively seeking participants for its inaugural cohort to advance its mission of sustainable innovation.

• Application Deadline: Applications for the first JAX Hub cohort will be accepted through January 7.
• Program Commencement: Selected companies will begin their pilot engagements with program partners in April 2026.

This initiative represents a significant step toward creating the next generation of financial services while strengthening international partnerships and advancing a local agenda for sustainable development.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • The article highlights the involvement of the University of North Florida (UNF) and its Coggin College of Business. The initiative provides graduate students with practical, hands-on experience by allowing them to “work directly with corporate partners, gaining experience in analyzing data, developing solutions, and addressing industry challenges.” This directly contributes to enhancing the quality and relevance of higher education.

2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • The JAX Hub initiative is designed to “foster innovation and collaboration in the fintech sector” and “connect startups with established companies.” By supporting startups and encouraging new business models, the program promotes entrepreneurship and aims to create “opportunities for the next generation of financial services,” which fosters economic growth and has the potential to create high-value jobs.

3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • The core purpose of JAX Hub is to create an “innovation-lab-meets-Shark-Tank” environment. This initiative builds an infrastructure for innovation by connecting academic research, student talent, startups, and established corporations. It focuses on upgrading the technological capabilities of the financial services industry by fostering new ideas in the fintech sector.

4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • The article explicitly describes a multi-stakeholder partnership. The JAX Hub is a collaborative effort between academia (University of North Florida), government (City of Jacksonville), and the private sector (Paysafe and L Marks). This “important partnership” is a clear example of the cross-sector collaboration needed to achieve sustainable development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.4: “By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.” The article states that students in “fintech, business analytics, accounting, and data analytics programs will work directly with corporate partners, gaining experience.” This directly provides students with relevant, in-demand skills for employment in the fintech industry.

2. Under SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.3: “Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises…” The JAX Hub is designed to “connect startups with established companies” and offers them the opportunity to “present new ideas and business models,” directly supporting entrepreneurship, creativity, and the growth of small enterprises.

3. Under SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.5: “Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors… encouraging innovation…” The program’s structure, which involves UNF’s “applied research support” and connects it with industry challenges, directly contributes to enhancing research and encouraging innovation within the fintech sector.

4. Under SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.17: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…” The entire initiative is a public-private partnership, as it is a joint force of the “University of North Florida” (academia), the “City of Jacksonville” (public), and private companies “Paysafe” and “L Marks.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators for SDG 4 / Target 4.4

   • Number of students participating: The article mentions that “Students in fintech, business analytics, accounting, and data analytics programs will work directly with corporate partners.” The number of students who participate and gain this experience is a direct measure of progress.

2. Indicators for SDG 8 / Target 8.3

   • Number of startups connected with established companies: The article states a key goal is to “connect startups with established companies.” Tracking this number would indicate the program’s success in fostering entrepreneurship.
   • Number of new ideas and business models presented: The program allows startups to “present new ideas and business models.” Quantifying these presentations would measure the innovative output.

3. Indicators for SDG 9 / Target 9.5

   • Number of pilot engagements: The article explicitly states that “Selected companies will begin pilot engagements with program partners in April 2026.” This is a concrete, measurable indicator of innovation being put into practice.

4. Indicators for SDG 17 / Target 17.17

   • Existence and operationalization of the multi-stakeholder partnership: The formation of the JAX Hub itself, involving four distinct partners from public, private, and academic sectors, serves as the primary indicator for this target. Its continued operation is a measure of the partnership’s effectiveness.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: actionnewsjax.com