The student lending startup plans 49 high-paying jobs in Newark, reinforcing Delaware’s push to become a national fintech hub.
WILMINGTON — Delaware’s long-running effort to build a statewide financial technology economy is beginning to show tangible results, with GradBridge LLC selecting Newark for its headquarters and committing to create 49 full-time jobs over the next five years.
The Delaware-founded fintech startup and private student lending platform will locate in a 9,321-square-foot space at Iron Hill Corporate Center on Prides Crossing. The decision follows a Mid-Atlantic search that included Philadelphia and reflects the state’s broader strategy to turn its financial services history, legal framework, university research capacity and workforce pipeline into a competitive advantage for high-growth fintech companies.
Long-term fintech strategy takes shape
GradBridge’s move comes as Delaware, the University of Delaware and Delaware Technology Park continue to build out a long-term vision for a FinTech Park and Innovation Hub at UD’s STAR Campus. That plan is designed to make Delaware more than a traditional banking and corporate law center. The goal is to position the state as a national and potentially global hub for fintech innovation, regulation, workforce development and financial equity.
For Delaware economic development officials, the GradBridge announcement offers an early example of that strategy in action: a startup choosing the state not only because of incentives, but because of its access to financial services talent, regulatory expertise and proximity to major institutions such as Barclays, JPMorgan Chase, WSFS and Sallie Mae.
High-wage jobs planned in Newark
The company had four permanent full-time employees in Delaware at the end of 2025. It plans to add jobs in executive leadership, finance, compliance, credit, data analytics and management. All of the new positions are expected to be salaried and benefit-eligible, with nearly all paying more than $110,000 annually…