Desjardins has opened the application for its Desjardins Paytech Fintech Accelerator Program. The program’s goal is to support Fintech entrepreneurs so they can go further and be ready for the venture capital stage to speed up their growth in a big way. Up to 3 paytechs will receive a $15,000 grant and a potential investment up to $250,000 investment through Startup in Residence’s Accelerator.
Startup in Residence and its partners understand the legal, technical and development challenges that entrepreneurs building practical, fast and secure payment solutions can face. And through this program, they will seek to provide the necessary support to the selected startups. The application deadline is May 24, 2022.
How Can Paytech help your Fintech startup?
With Real time payments set to roll out in Canada in 2023, financial institutions and Fintech companies are constantly looking for new ways to provide top quality products and services that are instant and secure. The data from Payments Canada shows just how important it is to create solutions that fit our fast paced world:
- 80% of Canadians want more practical payment solutions
- 50% of Canadians are ready to stop using cash and 66% would stop writing cheques if there were better options
- 83% of Canadians who use e-wallets find them practical
- Businesses are starting to use online transfers more and more and this payment method is growing 50% faster than any other
Program Priorities
The targeted startups must have solutions that improve Canadians’ payment experience. Some of the priorities are focused on:
- Real-time payment solutions
- Open banking systems
- Payments solutions with a positive social impact: These are solutions that minimize digital exclusion and/or solutions that promote citizen-led and community initiatives
- Solutions that use AI to help make informed choices
- Payment solutions that serve the circular economy (cash flow)
- Payment solutions that facilitate and improve the consumer payment experience
Eligibility Criteria
Below are the eligibility criteria
- Operate a business incorporated in Canada
- Be registered to participate in the challenge according to the rules set by Startup in Residence
- Have at least a working prototype of your solution
- Have not received any pre-Institutional investment financing (VC etc.)
- Must have at least one co-founder working full time in the startup
- Have large sale growth ambition and potential
- Have a founding/management team interested in hands-on coaching, and who have IT and entrepreneurial skills
For more information, visit the Desjardins Paytech Fintech Accelerator Program website.
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