What is the name of your organization?
Pelican Invests
What is the name of your solution?
Pelican Invests
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
Pelican Invests is a platform that empowers families to save for education.
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
New York, NY, USA
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
United States
What type of organization is your solution team?
For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models
Film your elevator pitch.
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What specific problem are you solving?
Every year, over 25 million American families face the challenge of navigating the complexities of financing post-secondary education, including savings, tax deductions, financial aid, scholarships, and grants. While this process can be difficult for even the financially savvy, it is particularly overwhelming for lower-income families and first-generation college students who often lack the social networks and support needed to navigate these options.
Pelican tackles the urgent issue of financial insecurity among lower-income families and first-generation college-goers who struggle to save for education. For these families, the barriers to higher education are even greater—70% of students graduate with an average of $37,000 in debt, with first-generation and low-income students disproportionately affected. These students are more likely to take on high-interest loans, work multiple jobs while studying, or even forgo college due to financial strain.
Through research and direct conversations with over 400 families, we've found that financial complexity, limited access to trusted resources, and the daily pressure of covering expenses make long-term savings seem out of reach.
What is your solution?
Pelican addresses the critical problem of financial insecurity and limited access to education savings tools for lower-income families and first-generation college students. We provide innovative fintech solutions to empower these underserved populations by simplifying the financial complexities of education savings, such as tax deductions, financial aid, scholarships, and grants. Through personalized investment advice, smart automation, and educational resources, we enable families to plan for and save toward post-secondary education, thus increasing their financial resilience and economic mobility.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
Pelican addresses the specific problem of financial insecurity among lower-income families and first-generation college students by providing a fintech solution that simplifies education savings and financial planning. Our platform empowers underserved populations to navigate the complexities of saving for post-secondary education, including tax deductions, financial aid, scholarships, and grants. Our mission is to advance workforce and economic opportunities and resilience through accessible financial services.
By offering personalized investment advice, smart automation, and educational resources, Pelican ensures that families—especially those from underinvested communities—can build long-term financial stability and increase their educational attainment. In doing so, we help prepare individuals for the workforce of the future by enabling financial mobility, a key component of workforce development. Our scalable solution has the potential to create significant economic impact, particularly in cities like New York, and can be expanded to other geographies.
