Startup Wise Guys announced partnership with EBRD for upcoming Fintech program
Applications are open and international startups with initial traction and tackling Fintech, PropTech, InsurTech, analytics, RegTech, cyber security areas are welcome to join. Selected startups can receive up to 100 000 euros total investment depending on their traction with a follow-on possibility of up to 250 000 euros, and intense mentorship driven program by an international pool of mentors, SWG team and EBRD staff.
Wise Guys Fintech 4 program will start in October 2020 and will be run for up to 5 months based in Vilnius, Lithuania, combing on-site and online modules.
This program can accommodate both earlier stage teams that need to fine tune their product-market fit, as well as startups with monthly recurring revenue above 5000 euros. It is aimed at a broad spectrum of Financial solutions that can support the sustainable economy and/or post COVID19 economic recovery.
“Partnership with EBRD and its TaiwanBusiness – EBRD Technical Cooperation Fund is a historic milestone for us at SWG! First off, having the largest and most active institutional investor over 5 continents as a partner gives a whole new level of credibility and positive impact. But we are even more excited to work with an organisation which like us has historically been so deeply involved in the often over-looked markets like Baltics, New Europe and CIS, leaving a positive footprint on the economy and ecosystems. This is definitely a clear value alignment and we are looking forward to learning from each other and continuing the positive impact in the parts of Europe and beyond that deserve it,” says Cristobal Alonso, El Patron aka Global CEO at Startup Wise Guys.
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With 185 investments in early stage startups, Startup Wise Guys (SWG) is one of the top investors in the broader CEE region and Nordics.
To help techy startup founders become true entrepreneurs, SWG is running a startup accelerator since 2012.
They focus on B2B SaaS, Fintech and Cybersecurity early stage startups, as well as have done follow-on investments in accelerated startups. Portfolio has already had 2 major exits.
“We are delighted to launch this new venture with SWG to grow the Fintech startup scene in the EBRD regions with the help of the TaiwanBusiness - EBRD Technical Cooperation Fund. As a transition bank the progress of our economies is what keeps us going and Fintech is an exciting new part of this. The new partnership with Startup Wise Guys adds a new dimension to this work and we are looking forward to the successful delivery of this amazing programme”, said Jacek Kubas, EBRD Associate Director, Local Currency and Capital Markets Initiative.
Startup Wise Guys have already accelerated more than 30 Fintech startups such as EstateGuru, ONDATO, PayQin, Investly and others as part of their B2B SaaS and Fintech focused programs. Wise Guys Fintech 4 will be the second Fintech program held in Lithuania and fourth Fintech focused program for SWG in general. Previous Fintech programs were run in partnership with Swedbank, and other competence partners such as Google for Startups, Sorainen.
Program will be held in Lithuania - “one of Europe’s Most Exciting Fintech Hotspots” according to Forbes. The country has a lot to offer for early stage startups, especially in the Fintech area. The startup ecosystem is friendly and buzzing with Fintech and tech events and having all important connections within a hands’ reach. Lithuania is also the only jurisdiction in the EU to have a special-purpose banking license, allowing the foundation of a bank with registered capital of just €1M EUR. Baltics overall rank on highest positions in terms of starting and ease of doing business and to accommodate non-EU founders all 3 countries have special startup visa regimes.
Startups can apply online HERE.
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