Application is now open for the Luxembourg 2022 Summer edition of Catapult: Kickstarter Fintech Acceleration Programme for early-stage fintech startups across the globe that are aiming to evolve financial services; be it by providing tools to traditional financial services companies to digitalise their businesses (B2B) or by providing new and improved services direct to customers (B2C).
The two-week summer edition programme is structured around classroom tutorials, expert talks, customer discovery, challenges, one-to-one meetings, pitching sessions, mentorship sessions and networking events.
At the end of the Catapult: Kickstarter programme, 10 Fintech companies with solutions in Regtech, Wealthtech, Insurtech and Cybersecurity using Blockchain, AI and Big Data technologies particular of interest to the Luxembourg financial services ecosystem will emerge from the programme with €50,000 each.
The programme’s inaugural session will be on Monday, June 20th, and it will close with the final pitch on Friday, July 1st.
About Catapult: Kickstarter Acceleration Programme
Catapult: Kickstarter is a two-week programme aimed at helping early-stage, innovative, Fintech entrepreneurs to develop their business models. Participants will receive guidance on building their businesses, identifying and managing risk, and creating a realistic business plan and practical tactics for customer acquisition and growth. Participants will have the opportunity to meet and learn from industry leaders, investors and critical fintech stakeholders. On the final day, the entrepreneurs will pitch their project to an elite group of judges to be awarded €50,000 in subsidies.
LHoFT Foundation developed the programme believing that financial technology is crucial to advancing financial inclusion and empowering groups that the traditional financial system has left behind. Whether it’s financing for rural farmers or point of sale technology for underbanked merchants, or specialised insurance products, the positive impact being driven by entrepreneurship is improving lives around the world. Such is the crucial focus of the LHoFT Foundation.
Eligibility Criteria
- Selected companies will have at least a demonstrable Minimum Viable Product (“MVP”) and will likely be in the pre-seed to seed stage of funding
- .Companies must comply with the European definition of a Small Enterprise and shall have been incorporated within the last five years at the date of granting the subsidy.
- Companies will submit all necessary information to the LHoFT to assess the viability of the project, company, background of owners and key shareholders to limit the risks of non-compliance or doubtful application of the programme.
- Companies must agree and shall provide ongoing performance metrics and business status for a period of three years post programme completion to the LHoFT for programme evaluation.
- The selected companies must guarantee that a founding team member, typically the CEO, will attend the programme for the duration of the two weeks.
To Be Eligible For The €50,000 Award
- The participating companies must attend all modules of the Catapult: Kickstarter programme.
- Companies will be required to have a registered business in Luxembourg, with substance and a minimum fully paid-up share capital of 10,000 EUR. They must also hold the necessary business license.
- Companies shall provide any additional and all necessary information as required by the grantor of the award, the Luxembourg Ministry of the Economy
