Mastercard Fintech Forum is back: applications are now open for the 2024 competition

Two fintechs from the SEE region will have the opportunity to win a place in StartPath, Mastercard’s global startup accelerator

For a second year in a row Mastercard will host the Mastercard Fintech Forum in Athens and invites all fintechs in the SEE region to compete, in order to win a place in the European competition in June 2024 in Berlin, which gives the ticket to StartPath, Mastercard’s global startup accelerator. Applications are now open and fintechs can submit their participation on the platform, until 20 January.

Mastercard Fintech Forum will take place in Athens in February and is an initiative that focuses on supporting startups, bringing together financial industry executives, fintechs, investors and venture capital firms, aiming at sparking discussions on emerging trends in the ecosystem and fruitful future partnerships. During the event, participating startups will have the opportunity to present their business plan, focusing on their innovative idea, while at the same time network with investors, venture capitals and entrepreneurs from the

Banking industry.

The two companies that will be selected by the jury and audience will win a ticket for the main event in Berlin, which will bring together the winners of the individual regional events, competing for a place in the final selection phase of Mastercard’s StartPath.

It’s important to note, that Israel’s Kipp, which emerged as the winner of last year’s competition in Athens, won first place in the final phase of the competition in Berlin in 2023. In addition to the competition, Mastercard Fintech Forum will feature startup founders, highraking international Mastercard executives, investors, entrepreneurs and leaders of the innovation space, Venture

Capitals and technology companies, as well as banking representatives from Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, North Macedonia, Kosovo and Israel. This is a networking opportunity that helps fintechs gain access to strategic partnerships, co-innovation opportunities and participation in Mastercard’s global network. Panagiotis Polydoros, Mastercard’s Country manager for Greece, Cyprus and Malta noted: “At Mastercard we want to highlight innovation in every aspect of our operations. The fintech startup ecosystem in Southeast Europe has blossomed and we feel great joy and satisfaction that we stand as enablers in the development of startups, offering them substantial opportunities for development. I want to encourage every startup to participate in the Athens Fintech Forum, share their vision and contribute to the emergence of innovative ideas and technologies that will shape the future of the fintech industry.”

The registration to the pitch competition is open to all fintechs from Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, North Macedonia, Kosovo and Israel, while access to the event will be by invitation only.