by amalienaustdal | Oct 10, 2017 | Startups
In the Fintech world, Portugal is recognized for having one of the most advanced payments systems. This is a result of 30 years of open collaboration between the country’s key financial players, through the creation of SIBS – the Portuguese driver of Fintech innovation.
In January 2018, new European regulation on Open Banking comes into force, bringing new challenges to the banking ecosystem. So, it’s only natural that to face these challenges the spirit of open collaboration is again put to great use. To do so, SIBS is working alongside the main banks in Portugal to provide an “Open Banking API”.
The good news? They are looking for global, Fintech startups to take part in the creation of one of the most ambitious Open Banking ecosystems through our second edition of the SIBSPAYFORWARD Accelerator.
For the second edition, we will select startups with business & consumer solutions in Open Baking context, who are able to incorporate the development of the platform being implemented by SIBS.
Applications are already open for startups with a stable functional prototype and a customer base. So, why should you apply?
- Data: SIBS is in charge of the majority of financial transactions in Portugal due to their role in managing the ATMs and a part of the POS systems.
- Access: By collaborating with SIBS you can have access to the entire Banking system at once.
- Collaborate with industry leaders: An amazing opportunity to work with one of World’s top Fintech innovators.
- Mentors: work with industry experts and true decision makers that will guide you through the complex world of finance.
Almost convinced? Then, check out our website to learn more about the program, the mentors, and last years edition. Make sure you apply before the 15th of December!
by maria | Mar 8, 2017 | Uncategorized
A couple of weeks ago we started evaluating all the applications we had for SIBSPayForward, the first fintech accelerator in Portugal that we’re organizing in partnership with SIBS, one of Europe’s leading fintech companies.
We had more than 100 applications, from 31 different countries, and we were seriously impressed with the potential of these fintech startups. In the end, it was a pretty tough call.
The evaluation process involved SIBS Management Team, as well as Beta-i’s team. We had hundreds of Skype Calls with the founders of these fintech startups (Fábio Coelho, the Program Director of SIBSPayForward, actually lived for 2 weeks without ever taking his headphones off), and we finally came down to the top 25 that will join us for the Bootcamp.
After this, we’ll get to choose the top 10 startups that will join us for the accelerator.
Curious? Here are the top 25 startups that will be tested to the limit at our Bootcamp:
PayThunder
Area: Mobile Payments
Antelop
Area: Cards Dematerialisation
Mulalo
Area: Robot Financial Advisory
IamOlly
Area: Mobile wallets
Tramonex
Area: Blockchain Technology
Identitii
Area: Tokenisation
Fraud Dynamics
Area: Fraud detection and contention solutions
Polygon Innovation
Area: Client Authentication Mechanisms
SPINDOTS
Area: Loyalty Programs
Gonpay
Area: Mobile wallets
Nordigen.com
Area: Credit Scoring
Securibox
Area: Robotic Process Automation
Papaya POS
Area: In-app payments/integration
CollectAI
Area: Client-Merchant Profitability
DataSine
Area: Client behavioral analysis
4STOP
Area: Fraud detection and contention solutions
Pagita S.R.L.
Area: Events
Quotanda
Area: Investment Tracking
Orange Bird
Area: Money transfers
SnapSwap International
Area: Money transfers
Sofitto
Area: Blockchain Technology
SharePayers
Area: Instant payments and its reachability
Koibanx
Area: Blockchain technology
Crayonic
Area: Client Authentication Mechanisms e.g. Biometrics
SalaryFits
Area: Credit Scoring
From the 3rd of April until the 7th of April these startups will prove their value at our Bootcamp. Stay tuned to find out who will get to the top 10 🙂
by maria | Jan 24, 2017 | Uncategorized
We’re getting everything ready for the Lisbon Investment Summit but, this year things will be a bit different. We don’t to spoil too many details just yet. However, we couldn’t really get a hold of ourselves and you need to tell you this.
First, as some of you might have heard, we’re giving 100 free tickets to startups. So, we will be giving every entrepreneur the chance to be at the Lisbon Investment Summit.
Second, and bringing me to the topic of this blogpost, we will have some of the best startups in Europe pitching to a crowd of investors we’re especially bringing to the Lisbon Investment Summit. For the first time, we’ll have pitching corners, and one of them will be specifically focussed on fintech.
Why fintech you ask?
Well, we know fintech is one of the most challenging industries in the world. It’s hard to reach the big fish in the market, you have tough legal restrictions and it’s complex to obtain financial data. However, before people think that entrepreneurs building solutions in fintech are some of kind of masochists, believe me they’re not. Fintech is estimated to have a global investment of 8 billion dollars by 2018.
They’re not crazy, they’re just unbelievably bold and ambitious, and we want to give them that little push they need to succeed.
Are you one them?
Well, then here’s the plan. We’ll let you pitch at the Lisbon Investment Summit and we’ll get you ready for it. We’re talking about Europe’s top investors so, take this as a necessary requirement to impress them.
The fintech startups which will showcase their products at the Lisbon Investment Summit will be the ones which will participate in our fintech program called SIBS PayForward.
These fintech startups will be working closely with companies such as Seedrs, the leading equity crowdfunding platform in Europe, eToro, the world’s leading social trading network, and SIBS, a payments company which tracks more than 1 billion financial operations per year, for 2 months before the Lisbon Investment Summit kicks off.
During these 2 months you’ll get to develop your product and grow your business, from Lisbon to the world. Get inspired by the sunny weather, work side by side with other fintech startups and corporations, and nail the perfect pitch.
Are you ready to apply? Then, make sure you apply until the end of this week. Applications close on January 31st.
by maria | Jan 12, 2017 | Uncategorized
Hey there,
I’m Fabio, and I’ve been working with Beta-i, one of the best organizations in Europe focused on startups and entrepreneurs, as the Program director of SIBSPayForward, the first fintech accelerator in Portugal.
Since the application process started, I have had a baby, went through the only 2 weeks Lisbon’s temperature goes below 15 degrees, and survived the traditional Christmas flu, all of this while waiting for your application.
Although I love finance and all the startups in fintech which are really making a difference, I know, through my own experience, that it’s one of the most complex industries to work in.
For this reason, and I don’t want to sound too biased here, if I had the chance, like you have now, I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to work with data from (almost) all the transactions made in Portugal and with a privileged access to the Banking system.
As tennis player, I see SIBSPayForward as a wildcard to the grand slam of finance, an opportunity of a lifetime to shine with the best players in the world.
SIBSPayForward aims at empowering you to accelerate the development of innovative solutions in the financial industry (Payments; Security mechanisms; Cards; Bank Account Management & Personal Finance; Fraud and Monitoring; ATM & POS; Electronic Money; Processes; and Client Behavior).
Here’s 4 reasons why you apply:
- Data: SIBS is the owner of most financial transactions in Portugal due to their role in managing both the ATMs and part of the POS system.
- Banking: Having the Banks as their main clients, SIBS will help you access the entire Banking system at once.
- Beyond Payments: SIBSPayforward is a true fintech program with areas of interest ranging from Personal Banking to Security or Blockchain technology. We are looking for talent that can benefit from working with SIBS and go forward. Areas of interest include: Payments; Security mechanisms; Cards; Bank Account Management & Personal Finance; Fraud and Monitoring; ATM & POS; Electronic Money; Processes; and Client Behavior.
- Mentors: work with industry leaders and true decision makers that will guide through the complex world of finance.
Are you convinced yet? Then, check out our website to see all the mentors and how the program is structured and make sure apply until the 31st of January.
The accelerator runs from the beginning of April until the beginning of June in Lisbon.
