News
Findec in partnership with ASEAN Financial Innovation Network
Findec, Sweden's Hub for Fintechs, with a purpose to boost Sweden's financial technology ecosystem through network, knowledge and collaboration, has signed a partnership agreement with the ASEAN Financial Innovation Network to facilitate greater integration between Fintech hubs across the Sweden region as well as Asia.
The ASEAN Financial Innovation Network (AFIN) was established as a non-profit organization in 2018 by the ASEAN Bankers Association (ABA), International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). AMTD Foundation and Mastercard are AFIN’s Corporate Founding Members. Visit www.apixplatform.com for more information.
APIX, the flagship product of AFIN, is a global cloud-based platform that enables financial institutions and Fintech firms to discover one another on a curated global marketplace, design experiments collaboratively in the sandbox and deploy innovative solutions rapidly at a lower cost.
Findec - Fintech & Decentralized, is the Swedish hub for fintechs, with the mission to boost the Swedish ecosystem and create more success stories by supporting members through network, knowledge and collaboration. Findec is part of the Nordic Fintech Alliance, together with other fintech hubs from Denmark, Finland, Norway and Iceland. Visit www.findec.co for more information.
*Virtual signing ceremony between Findec and AFIN on March 12th 2021
“Our partnership with the ASEAN Financial Innovation Network will strengthen the bridge between Sweden and ASEAN in the field of fintech and innovation. Southeast Asia has been one of the main strategic markets for us, and we look forward to more collaboration in the region.”, notes Mats Holmfeldt, Founder and Chairman of Findec.
Through this partnership, Findec and AFIN will mutually work on supporting the development of financial inclusion in both regions. Together, both parties will strive for greater collaboration, including sharing market knowledge and insights with each other on matters relating to the fintech industry, both parties’ events and initiatives.
“We are delighted to partner with Findec, an association that shares the same values and passion to improve financial inclusion in the Financial industry. With this partnership, we are certain and look forward to jointly build an environment that boosts the growth of the Fintech ecosystem across the Asian and Sweden region.” concludes Manish Diwaan, Managing Director at ASEAN Financial Innovation Network.
The second Bonfire accelerator - Open for Application
Last year PwC and Findec combined forces and started the Bonfire accelerator program, which is dedicated for young startups within fintech, regtech and insurtech. This 4-month program offers selected startups training days, inspiration, mentorship, advisory and coaching to make sure that they have the tools, network and knowledge to succeed in business for years to come. The program has an emphasis on preparing the startups for an international scale-up and expansion.
Hear from the first cohort:
“The bonfire program helped us to take some big leaps forward, as well resolve questions regarding banking processes, knowledge that later gained us the first signed contracts [...] The in depth knowledge we got from our mentors into the banking sector was priceless, touching subjects and processes that aren't common knowledge.” - Isak Nyberg, Vice President of Centiglobe
“Getting a second and senior view on our value proposition was a very good lesson for us. We specifically remember a workshop in the beginning of the program where the PwC consultants guided us to put down in words the value we are selling. This was something we already had in place for quite a while but rewriting those words and getting the groups feedback on it was very interesting and also a fun exercise.” - Peter Hjort, CEO of IDKollen
“The network with mentors and companies in the program has opened many doors for us, such as new investors, customers and advisors. The content of the program has been very important, since it has helped us in both strategic direction of the company & helping us to avoid bad decisions.” - Martin Einemo, CEO & Co-founder and Lotta Rauséus, COO & Co-founder of Insurely
“Make sure that you are ready to take the next step in your company's journey. Look up, jump into the helicopter and bring that mindset into the Bonfire sessions. If you are in a phase where everything is about solving daily issues you are probably not ready, OR jump in the helicopter and plan for the scaleup together with other companies ready to grow” - Fredrik Mistander, CEO & Co-founder of Invoier.
The positive feedback from the first cohort and interest from the Swedish fintech community have motivated us to kick start the second Bonfire. Application is open between December 14th, 2020 and January 13th, 2021, visit the program page at http://findec.co/program/ and reach out to us at [email protected] if you have any questions.
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PwC Sweden, the leading company in the field of audit and advisory services, is a strategic partner of Findec - the Swedish hub for Fintechs. Findec - Fintech & Decentralized, is the Swedish hub for fintechs, with the mission to boost the Swedish ecosystem and create more success stories by supporting members through network, knowledge and collaboration. For more information, visit findec.co
"We're pleased to see the first cohort thrive during and after the Bonfire accelerator program. With positive response from our members, we are confident to kick start the second Bonfire program with our strategic partner, PwC. We encourage young Fintechs who think they're ready to take the next step to grow to apply for this program", said Mats Holmfeldt, Chairman and Founding partner of Findec.
"After a successful first Bonfire, we are looking forward to launching the program with the second cohort! Participants in the program will have access to PwC's expertise and experience in what it takes to run a business, how to develop innovative business models and create brands that stand out in the ecosystem.“ concludes Christian Öberg, PwC Sweden, responsible for the partnership with Findec.
Contact:
Mats Holmfeldt
Christian Öberg
Findec takes over Stockholm Green Digital Finance
Findec, Sweden’s hub for fintech that aims at boosting the country’s fintech ecosystem, is taking over Stockholm Green Digital Finance (SGDF).
“Stockholm Green Digital Finance put Sweden on the map as one of the very first initiatives, driving sustainable finance innovation through fintech solutions. We are honored to continue this journey under the lead of Findec,” says Anders Norlin, CEO of Findec.
Findec’s role is to foster collaboration in the fintech sector and support its members. Taking SGDF into its fold made perfect sense. Originally founded as a test bed and run by a not-for-profit organization, SGDF aimed to showcase solutions for scaling up green finance. “We felt it was time for SGDF to move into the next phase. When we founded it in 2017, we were among the first to explore fintech as a lever for green finance acceleration. Today, it is rewarding to see many actors in this space, doing a great job,” says Cecilia Repinski, CEO of the Green Assets Wallet and founder of SGDF.
This could not come at a better time. During Copenhagen Fintech Week on 15 September 2020, one of the most important global fintech events, Implement Consulting Group, together with Findec and others, released the ‘Deciphering the Nordic Impact Map’. They looked at how well Nordic fintech startups are aligned with the SDGs in key areas such as e financial inclusion & impact, climate & energy, and ESG data. According to Anders Norlin, with 186 impact-startups, Sweden and the other Nordic countries, are leading the way in finding financial solutions for a more sustainable society.
Cecilia Repinski will stay on as a sustainability ambassador for SGDF. “Essentially collaboration and knowledge-sharing are still at the core of SGDF, just as they are part of Findec’s vision.” Cecilia will focus her energy on the Green Assets Wallet, a global platform that uses blockchain to ramp up the market for impactful investments, and one of the greatest outcomes of SGDF. “There was just no time left to nurture the foundation on which we built SGDF. Findec is very well suited to continue the work we started.”
SGDF was one of the founding members of the International Network of Financial Centers for Sustainability (FC4S) - a network of financial centers and the UN Environmental Programme set up to accelerate sustainable finance to deliver on the Paris Agreement and the SDGs. “SGDF has been key to help facilitate the policy dialogue on green digital finance in Sweden and beyond,” explains Stephen Nolan, Managing Director, UN Financial Centres for Sustainability. “Three years ago, SGDF was one of the very few exploring fintech in the area of green finance, while many others were just scratching the surface of green finance.”
“We have had a very good collaboration with Stockholm Green Digital Finance over the past years, this is something we will continue and further amplify in the future.” Marianne Haahr, Director of Green Digital Finance Alliance (GDFA).
As of September 2020, Findec will host all future SGDF activities, continuing to explore, develop and run initiatives that stimulate green finance and the fintech sector in Sweden.
For more information on SGDF, please contact Anders Norlin, CEO Findec, [email protected]
Stockholm Green Digital Finance was launched at the G20 GreenInvest Meeting in Berlin in May 2017. The center was set up to serve as an independent innovation platform and test bed to demonstrate creative solutions for scaling green finance and investment.
Green Assets Wallet (GAW) is the world’s first blockchain platform for easy validation and impact reporting of green bonds. With its blockchain technology, it aims to significantly ramp up the market for impactful investments.
Findec is Sweden's Hub for fintechs, with a purpose to boost Sweden's financial technology ecosystem through network, knowledge-sharing and collaboration. Their mission is to drive innovation and access to market, by helping to build companies and attracting talent.
PwC in partnership with Findec - The Swedish hub for Fintechs!
PwC Sweden, the leading company in the field of audit and advisory services, has signed a partnership agreement with Findec - the Swedish hub for Fintechs!
Findec - Fintech & Decentralized, is the Swedish hub for fintechs, with the mission to boost the Swedish ecosystem and create more success stories by supporting members through network, knowledge and collaboration.
Findec is part of the Nordic Fintech Alliance, together with other fintech hubs from Denmark, Finland, Norway and Iceland.
“We are very happy to welcome PwC as the new strategic partner for Findec and the fintech ecosystem in Sweden. We have known PwC for a long time and have had deep discussion on many levels and we feel confident that we will do great things together on behalf of our members.” explains Mats Holmfeldt, co-founder and Chairman of Findec.
PwC aims to help the Swedish Fintech industry thrive. Included in the partnership with Findec is among other things an accelerator program for early startups within the sector. Companies who are included in the 3 month program will receive training days, inspiration, mentorship, advisory and coaching to make sure that they have the tools and knowledge needed to grow and success in the long run.
”Swede’s have always been quick to adapt to new technology to meet customer demands, but when it comes to scaling up and capitalizing on these ideas we need to step up. We believe that hubs like Findec plays an important role to help more Fintech ideas reach their true potential. Thanks to the new partnership between PwC and Findec we make the broad spectrum of PwC’s knowledge available to startups, which will make a huge difference when it comes to scaling and thereby creating even more Fintech success stories originating from Sweden,“ concludes Henrik Olsson, PwC Sweden, responsible for the partnership with Findec.
Findec
Findec is a hub embracing the whole Swedish Fintech scene. Besides an extensive digital community platform, regular meet-ups and international initiatives, Findec will run targeted business development programs in close collaboration with PwC and other partners. Findec currently has over 100 members and expect to grow to over 200 members by 2020. Read more on www.findec.co.
Contact:
Mats Holmfeldt
PwC
At PwC, our purpose is to build trust in society and solve important problems. We’re a network of firms in 158 countries with over 250,000 people who are committed to delivering quality in assurance, advisory and tax services. Find out more and tell us what matters to you by visiting us at www.pwc.com.
Contact:
Henrik Olsson
Johan Jerresand
Nordea in partnership with Findec - The Swedish hub for Fintechs!
Nordea, the largest financial services group in the Nordic region has signed a partnership agreement with Findec - the Swedish hub for Fintechs!
Findec - Fintech & Decentralized, is the Swedish hub for start-ups within Fintech including areas as Regtech, Insurtech and Blocktech - with the mission to boost the Swedish ecosystem and create more success stories by supporting members through network, knowledge and funding. Findec is part of the Nordic Fintech Alliance, together with other fintech hubs from Denmark, Finland, Norway and Iceland.
“We are very happy to have Nordea on board as a partner since they are very active within the start-up scene and a partnership will for sure promote our members and the fintech ecosystem as a whole” explains Mats Holmfeldt, co-founder and Chairman of Findec.
”Our partnership with Findec builds on our existing network of relationships across the Nordic region. We are looking forward to working closely with the Findec team to contribute toward the development of the local Fintech ecosystem in Stockholm and Sweden” explains Ewan MacLeod, Nordea’s Chief Digital Officer.
Findec
Findec is a hub embracing the whole Swedish Fintech scene. Besides an extensive digital community platform, regular meet-ups and international initiatives, Findec will run targeted business development programs in close collaboration with Nordea and other partners. Findec currently has over 100 members and expect to grow to over 200 members by 2020.
Nordea
Nordea is the largest bank in the Nordic region and among the ten largest financial groups in Europe in terms of total market capitalisation with around 10 million customers. The Nordea share is listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki, Nasdaq Copenhagen and Nasdaq Stockholm exchanges. Read more on nordea.com