Fintech - Growth Programmes

Helping UK fintech companies scale, at home and abroad

Our Fintech programme is aimed at company founders and consists of insights sessions delivered by some of the most established fintech entrepreneurs, investors and partners. Our goal is to cover topics such as sales, partnerships with incumbents, expanding internationally and to give companies and founders the tools and knowledge they need to scale.

The programme lasts for six months and includes a 24-hour induction, a series of in-depth learning sessions, networking events with key stakeholders and a three-day international showcase trip. Joining is free and applications are now open.

How does the programme work?

We aim to support 25 fintech startups during this six-month programme. To be eligible for the programme, your company must meet the following criteria:

Be headquartered in the UK
Be at the equivalent of seed to series A funding stage (If the company is self-funded, maximum annual revenues are £1.5m. Companies having raised series A can apply until a maximum of 3 months after they closed the round).
Offer a product or service to businesses and/or individuals (B2B businesses must have at least one active client or pilot. B2C businesses must have a product fully deployed in market already – no beta)
Consultancies are excluded

The Programme

What’s involved?

Insight sessions

Nine founder-focused sessions delivered by world-leading fintech entrepreneurs covering core issues, from investment to sales, partnerships and international expansion.

Meetups

Two intimate networking sessions designed with the technical leadership team in mind, to foster peer-to-peer exchange and explore the challenges faced by CTOs and Head Devs.

Cohort trips

An international trip with the help of DIT, to showcase companies overseas and discover first hand from those who have already done it what it takes to crack the market abroad.

Networking

Events of networking bringing together corporate executives, investors, government representatives, regulators and other decision makers together around the cohort.

Interested in joining Fintech?

The deadline for applying to this year’s programme has passed, but you can re-register your interest here.

Judging Panel

Cathryn Lyall, Seismic Foundry
Simon Taylor, 11:FS
Richard Theo, Wealthify
Louise Smith, RBS
Lisa Wood, Atom Bank
James Varga, The ID Co.
Imran Gulamhuseinwala, Open Banking Implementation Entity
Catherine Wines, WorldRemit
Anne Boden, Starling Bank
Anil Stocker, MarketInvoice
Al Lukies, Pollinate
Eileen Burbidge, Passion Capital & Tech Nation
Tim Levene, Augmentum Fintech
Paulette Rowe, Facebook
Samantha Bedford,
CYBG

Insight Peers

Wendy Jephson, Nasdaq, Sybenetix
Stephen Lemon, Currencycloud
Sophie Hossack, Receipt Bank
Rishi Khosla, OakNorth Bank
Justin Basini, ClearScore
Jon Bradford, Motive Partners
James Crowley, FundApps
Chris Hill, Kemp Little
Sophie Theen, 11:FS
Carrie Osman, Cruxy & Co.
Tom Seo, Citi Ventures
Dimitar Stanimiroff, Heresy
Mary Jane Adojah, BNY Mellon
Matt Levinson, Fintech Collective
Andy Stewart, Motive Partners
Tom Parachini, Funding Circle
Andrew Boyajian, Transferwise
Sep Alavi, White Star Capital
Sara Ellison, EY
Dale Murray CBE, Xero & Sussex Place Ventures
Tosin Agbabakia, Octopus Ventures
Maria Josife, Erevena
Dave Polonsky, Fundapps
Gavin Holland, Anthemis
Lesley Eccles, FanDuel & Relish

More peers coming soon…

Our Fintech Alumni

See all Tech Nation programme alumni >

Unsure if your company should apply?

If you would like to discuss whether your business is right for the programme, please don’t hesitate to contact us, or feel free to get in touch with the Entrepreneur Engagement Manager (EEM) in your area for more help.

Thea Goodluck in the East of England
Eoin Marsh in London
Naomi Watts in the Midlands

Jamie Hardesty in the North East
Gino Brancazio in Wales
Mo Aldalou in the North West

Vicky Hunter in the South West
Jem Henderson in Yorkshire
Gary Davidson in Northern Ireland

Other fintech initiatives

Check out our Fintech Collaboration Toolkit