USC & Techstars Accelerator Founder Q&A: Atif Siddiqi, Founder & CEO of Branch

​Want to find out what life is like before, during, and after a Techstars Accelerator? Hear directly from Techstars alum and USC alum Atif Siddiqi, founder and CEO of Branch.

​In conversation with Gabriel Schlumberger, Managing Director of the USC & Techstars Accelerator, Atif will tell about his founder journey and how he grew Branch from an idea into a workforce payments powerhouse.

Branch is the workforce payments platform that helps businesses deliver fast, flexible options for workers to get paid. After graduating with a BA in Economics and an MBA from USC, Atif started the company in 2015 and participated in the inaugural Techstars Retail Accelerator in 2016. Branch's mission to help working Americans grow financially has been recognized with a Webby Award — Best Financial Services, Fintech Breakthrough Award, Gartner Eye on Innovation: Financial Services, and Top Workplaces USA. Atif has been recognized as one of Employee Benefit News’ Top 20 Digital Innovators in Benefits and EY Entrepreneur of the Year: Heartland.

​The USC & Techstars Startup Accelerator is now accepting application for the Spring 2025 cohort.