Event – Creating World Class Fintech Innovations

On 11 June, EIT Digital and Fintech Scotland invite interested parties to a networking event, titled Creating World Class Fintech Innovations’. The University of Edinburgh’s Business School is the venue for this half-day event focussed on the future of fintech in Scotland, and the opportunities for universities, corporates and start-ups within this thriving ecosystem.

EIT Digital is the leading European digital innovation and entrepreneurial education organisation driving Europe’s digital transformation. It recently opened its Scottish Satellite in Edinburgh to deepen connections with the Scottish innovation ecosystem and to intensify its relationship with the Scottish Private and Public Sectors.

The Edinburgh Satellite intends to host a new Doctoral Training Centre, with a focus on fintech, and Cyber Security via a new program supported by the Scottish Government’s Cyber Resilience Unit and ScotlandIS, plus other areas of national strategic importance. Its students will be supported by universities across Scotland with the first students expected to start later in 2019.

EIT Digital is one of eight Innovation Communities of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology. It has 10 Co-Location Centres across Europe, including one in London, and the Scottish satellite was the first one to be opened in the UK.

To register for this event click here

Wayra AI & Blockchain Accelerator – New Applications now open!

The call for the next AI & Blockchain Programme is now open and start-ups can apply using this link. (Closing date 29th May 2019)

The Accelerator is run in partnership with The University of Edinburgh and Wayra, combining the technical & research expertise of UoE and Wayra’s commercial connectedness to London’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

This Programme provides coaching, mentors, access to investment and industry networks. It is supported by Scottish Enterprise, offering Scotland wide businesses support, and sponsored by CISCO

The Programme runs for 6 months, meets three days a week and is based in the Bayes Centre, Edinburgh . A founder of each company is required to attend each week and will be provided with desk space for 7 days per week. The Programme has national reach but an Edinburgh focus and includes a £7500 stipend to cover travel costs.

Call for innovative fintechs as NewDay releases public APIs

Photo by Two Paddles Axe and Leatherwork on Unsplash

Open Banking APIs

NewDay has developed a dedicated interface to Open Banking’s API standards and has launched its test facility for AISP, PISP (which will allow TPPs to initiate Balance and Money Transfers) and CBPII APIs. NewDay is interested in engaging with TPPs who want to test their applications against its APIs.

NewDay intends to launch its Production instance of the APIs from 1st June 2019.

NewDay Overview

NewDay’s aim is to provide credit card products that work for its 5 million customers. NewDay has four own brand products: aqua; marbles; opus; and fluid.  Aqua is NewDay’s main brand for customers who are new to credit, offering 4 different credit card products and also personal loans to existing customers. NewDay also provides credit card products in partnership with a number of well-established UK retailers including: Amazon; TUI; Debenhams; House of Fraser; Laura Ashley; and the Arcadia Group (which includes brands such as Topshop and Miss Selfridge). Over four million customers in the UK use one of NewDay’s co-brand credit cards as a valued part of their shopping experience.

How to get involved

For more information on how to engage with NewDay’s APIs please go to our Developer Portal, https://developer.newdaycards.com, or send a query to openbankingsupport@newday.co.uk

Holt Accelerator Welcomes Scottish Fintechs to apply for their World-Class Fintech Accelerator Program

Written by Sarah Spagnuolo, Marketing Director at Holt Fintech Accelerator

Holt Fintech Accelerator in Montreal, Canada is a world-class fintech program that is currently accepting international applications until June 14th.

This is a fantastic opportunity for fintechs from Scotland to conquer Canada before scaling up to the US, because you get the opportunity to:

1. Do product testing with access to senior Canadian potential partners
2. Get assistance in fast-tracking your time to business (ie. From Visa to incorporation)

What we’re looking for

We’re looking for international, pre-Series A (i.e. bootstrapped, pre-seed, seed, bridge), FinTech startups who (or that)  are ready to take advantage of this high-impact program.

The program is being backed by the Holt family”“ one of Canada’s wealthiest families. The program is also supported by one of Canada’s largest AI firms and a long list of influencers within the FinTech community, offering invaluable insights into the North American market. Our website has all the info: https://www.holtaccelerator.ai/.

Here’s what we offer

The Capital (up to $125K cash + $50K value)

• $25K CAD + $200K CAD in-kind on flexible terms,
• Up to $100K CAD available if milestones are met,
• Potential investments from Holt angels & institutions,
• Potential for capital calls from Holt or Holdun.

The Ecosystem (Priceless)

• Plug into Holt Financial’s digital bank and exchange for new revenue sources,
• Raise financing more easily and strategically through the STO platform,
• Potential to partner with our alumni and future cohort.

Potential Clients (+$100K CAD value)

• Access to key people in financial institutions,
• Obtain real feedback on product(s),
• Potentially close deals with paying customers.

The Support ($100K CAD value)

• Super Advisors provide one day a week over 12-weeks (See our growing list of Advisors here),
• Access to world class PhDs to guide the teams weekly,
• Coaching & workshops (pitching, lunch & learns, etc.),
• Guidance from industry & tech experts,
• Bonus: visibility, free office, service provider discounts.

Deadlines

Application deadline:June 14

Invitation for selection date: June 15

Selection dates:July 8-9 (MTL startup festival + meet and obtain feedback from over 100 Advisors)

Program starts:August 19

Program ends: November 8

Here’s what the Holt 2018 cohort had to say about the Program

“Once I read about the Holt Fintech Accelerator’s mission and understood the background of the family, as well as the array of businesses and the structure of the program, I knew it’d be a great fit. Holt can connect us to client and investor opportunities, and accelerate the growth of our clients.”

Thomas Schickler, CEO The Liquidity Marketplace

“It’s an exciting time to be in Fintech.  We’ve seen waves of disruption in the space, and then banks absorb some of that change.  We’re helping banks compete with stand-alone fintech apps by bringing personalized financial wellness tools into their offering and winning the customer back. We’re excited to be part of the Holt Accelerator and appreciate the support they’re giving us to let more people know about our product. The rest of the cohort is also highly talented, and we may have an opportunity to partner with other startups that complement our offering.”

Sajil Koroth, CEO, KapitalWise

“We had several discussions with Brendan and Jan before applying and realized that they are great people, with great connections into financial institutions in Canada ”” our current customer base.  We’ve also learned since starting the program how hands on these guys are. The program is extremely well organized and the Holt management team has been very helpful. This journey is incredibly exciting!”

Sean Merat, CEO, Owl

Got a Bold Business Idea? Converge 2019 is Now Open for Applications!

The quest to find the next generation of entrepreneurs from Scotland’s thriving academic entrepreneur community is fully underway. Converge, the pioneering entrepreneurship programme for staff, students and recent graduates from across Scotland’s universities and research institutes has just launched its 2019 programme, challenging every Scottish university to uncover the next big idea.

Now in its 9^thyear, Converge now has the financial backing of all 18 Scottish universities ”“ up 11 from last year. They join the Scottish Funding Council which has earmarked over £1m funding to cover the next three years, and Creative Scotland.

This year’s total prize fund is the biggest yet at £230,000 and is shared across the four main platforms ”“ Converge, Impact, KickStart and, new for 2019, the Creative Challenge. Successful applicants also benefit from in-depth business training, pitch coaching, support and access to an extensive network of business and investor contacts.

Open to spin-outs and start-ups from any industry sector, Converge alumni are represented across a wide range of sectors including the life sciences, technology, engineering, renewables, the creative industries and medtech.  Some of their ground-breaking innovations include next generation ultrasound sensors, educational robots, wearable medical devices, trailblazing cancer treatments and robotic probes.

Applicants now have until Thursday 25 April to submit their proposals.  Full details including how to apply are available on the Converge website.  Additionally, the Converge Outreach Team is currently travelling the length and breadth of Scotland to offer help and advice to students and staff thinking of applying to this year’s Programme.  Events are scheduled throughout April with new sessions added daily, so please take a look at our schedule for more details.

Do you have what it takes? Celebrating entrepreneurial success in the UK

Article written by Calum Brewster, Managing Director, Head of UK Regional Offices at Julius Baer

Spectator Economic Disruptor of the Year Awards

The winner of the Spectator Economic Disruptor of the Year Awards 2018 is on a mission to bring financial services to the unbanked’. Pockit – a low cost, easy-access banking app ”“ was the overall winner, establishing itself as a true disruptor in the banking sector.

The judges commented that its clear social purpose ”“ which tackles a very serious problem ”“ is what stood out. Pockit has 500,000 customers so far and that number is growing by 20,000 each month. It’s targets are very ambitious but it’s attracted significant investment from a number of high-profile venture capital investors to achieve these goals.

Fintech has long been celebrated as a truly disruptive sector and a large number of successful companies are making huge strides in rapidly changing the status quo ”“ many of which are based in Scotland. This does not go unnoticed at Julius Baer. While they don’t expect robots to replace humans in the hugely important job of client interaction, they do keep a very focused eye on technology that can help them to better service their clients’ very complex needs.

Partnering with the Spectator to create these awards helps Julius Baer to stay at the forefront of technology enhancements ”“ giving us the opportunity to speak with the companies and individuals who are changing the world of financial services.

Founded in Zurich in 1890, and now a fast expanding player in the UK wealth management scene, Julius Baer has an instinctive sympathy with business-builders that bring new thinking and positive change to established markets.

So, who are the companies that are rewriting the rules in 2019?

Entrants for these awards will be innovators with real passion for their products and customers and the potential to scale up from local to national and international arenas, underpinned by strong financial plans. There will be five regional winners (one from Scotland), chosen from a high-profile judge in each region. The national winner will be named at a gala dinner in central London and will be invited to join The Spectator’s elite private dining club of business leaders as well as benefiting from the extensive media coverage that these awards generate.

Do you have what it takes?

As true disruptors in this sector we are encouraging founder members of Fintech Scotland to enter the prestigious Spectator Economic Disruptor of the Year Awards 2019. Details can be found at www.spectator/co.uk/disruptor