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NPI
Application-Based Membership · Now Accepting

The payments community
that means something

NPI is a curated network for practitioners with real payments experience—backed by a dedicated branch for the next generation.

Every application reviewed. Every member vetted. No exceptions.

Co-founded by Visa’s Salvador Santos
Co-founded by KSU’s Robert Velarde
Rooted in Atlanta
2+
Years experience required
75
Max event capacity
100%
Applications reviewed
Free
Veterans programs

Getting Started

Three steps to membership

01

Submit Your Application

Tell us about your role, experience, and what you're looking for in the community.

02

We Review for Fit

We look for real payments experience (2+ years for Professional) or verified enrollment for Student members.

03

Join Your Track

Accepted members join either the Professional Community or the Student Branch, each with tailored benefits.

Community Structure

Two branches, one community

Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or just beginning your payments journey, there's a place for you.

Curated

Professional Branch

For practitioners with real experience in payments—product, risk, operations, compliance, and more. Curated to keep conversations high-signal.

  • Application-based, 2+ years payments experience
  • Closed Professional-only sessions and discussions
  • Priority invites to intimate events
Apply as Professional
Growth Track

Student & Early-Career

For students and professionals with less than 2 years in payments. Learn, get exposure, and connect with the ecosystem.

  • Student-focused events and mentorship content
  • Discounted or free access to select sessions
  • Clear upgrade path to Professional membership
Apply as Student

Upcoming Events

Intimate, not industrial

We host small, curated events so you're not just collecting swag. Focused sessions, real conversations, and dinner with people who actually work in payments.

View all events
Featured Event

Atlanta Founders' Mixer & Payments Salon

Limited to 75$75 ticket

An evening of real talk with payments founders, operators, and builders. No panels of people who've never shipped anything.

Learn more

Ideal Members

Who we're looking for

Professionals

You've spent at least 2 years in payments roles like:

  • Payments product manager
  • Risk/fraud/compliance analyst or manager
  • Payments operations or settlement specialist
  • Technical account manager or consultant

Willing to share experiences, not just consume content.

Cares about leveling up the industry, not just their own resume.

Students & Early-Career

  • Studying or recently graduated in fintech, business, CS, or related areas.
  • Serious about payments as a career path—not just "exploring."
  • Willing to show up consistently and contribute to the community.
Giving Back

Supporting veterans in payments

Veterans bring discipline, leadership, and mission-first thinking. We're committed to opening doors for those who served.

Free Program

Veterans Payments Cohort

Quarterly cohorts for U.S. military veterans covering payments fundamentals. Small groups (15–20), taught by NPI Professional volunteers.

  • Free, structured curriculum: rails, networks, settlement, compliance
  • Hands-on case studies and real-world scenarios
  • Certificate recognized by NPI member companies
Quarterly

Veterans Networking Night

Intimate dinners pairing veterans with payments professionals. No awkward keynotes—just real conversations that open doors.

  • 20–30 veterans paired with industry professionals
  • Professional members volunteer as mentors
  • Completely free for veteran attendees

100%

Free for veterans

15–20

Per cohort

Quarterly

Networking nights

Social Proof

Why the bar matters

What makes NPI different is the bar. Everyone in the room actually does the work day-to-day.

Senior Payments PM

Top-10 U.S. Bank

I’ve been in a dozen Slack groups for payments. This is the first one where I actually learn something every week.

Risk Operations Lead

Series B FinTech

As a student, having access to real practitioners changed my understanding of what a payments career looks like.

KSU FinTech Student

Class of 2025

Join Us

Ready to join a community that values quality?

Submit your application today. We review every one personally and respond within 7–10 business days.