Mastercard has unveiled a new programme designed to support fintechs across Western Europe by providing them with tools, expertise and opportunities for growth.
The ‘Mastercard For Fintechs’ initiative addresses the challenges fintechs face in securing. It includes a competition for fintechs at various investment stages, with local and final events across Europe, culminating in a grand prize of €50,000 in marketing support and other benefits.
“At Mastercard, partnership is a part of our DNA, critical to defining how the company innovates for the future and creates meaningful, sustainable impact for society,” said Eimear Creaven, division president, Western Europe Mastercard.
“Our world-class programmes nurture innovation, accelerate growth and streamline programme launches. Our digital tools are designed to support fintechs across every niche and at every stage of growth. We are excited to see the fintechs joining this inaugural programme from across Western Europe.”
The programme
The Mastercard For Fintechs competition is aimed at fintechs at a pre-seed, seed or series A investment stage, who have deployed a tangible solution in at least one of the following European countries – Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Spain and Portugal – in the fields of payments, Web3 and blockchain, new payment flows, banking and SMEs, embedded finance and/or sustainable technology.
Following an initial selection, participants of the European contest will take part in four local competitions that will take place from June to October in Paris, Madrid, Milan and Amsterdam, with eight fintechs competing in each city, from which two local winners will be selected.
Eight local winners will then compete in the final event, taking place in Paris at the end of the year.
Fintechs will be required to pitch their projects in front of a jury comprising of members from Mastercard and external partners, followed by a Q&A session, with each project graded according to the team’s expertise, the innovation of the project, together with its financial health, long-term viability, scalability potential and strategic fit with Mastercard.
What’s on offer
The winner of the final event will also receive a prize consisting of €50,000 in marketing support, including access to Mastercard’s sponsorship assets, fast-track to the Start Path programme’s final selection day and mentoring support from experts and founders in the ecosystem.
Mastercard Start Path has also worked with more than 380 fintechs from 54 countries, with more than 10 unicorns emerging from the programme, including Revolut, Razorpay and Airwallet.
Find out more about the new Mastercard Western Europe programme supporting fintechs.
