Mastercard returns to Athens

For the second consecutive year, Mastercard is organising the Mastercard Fintech Forum in Athens, inviting fintechs from the SEE (Southeast Europe) region to participate. The event provides an opportunity for fintech startups to compete for a place in the European competition in Berlin, scheduled for June 2024. The winners of the European competition will secure a spot in StartPath, Mastercard’s global startup accelerator.

Fintechs in the SEE region can submit their applications on the F6S platform until January 20, 2024. The Mastercard Fintech Forum, set to take place in Athens in February 2024, aims to support startups by bringing together industry executives, fintechs, investors, and venture capital firms. The event facilitates discussions on emerging trends in the fintech ecosystem and encourages potential partnerships. Participating startups will have the opportunity to present their business plans and innovative ideas, engaging with investors, venture capitalists, and industry entrepreneurs.

Two winning companies, selected by a jury and the audience, will secure a ticket to the main event in Berlin. This final competition will bring together winners from various regional events, competing for a coveted place in the final selection phase of Mastercard’s StartPath.

Last year’s winner in Athens, Israel’s Kipp, went on to secure first place in the Berlin competition in 2023. The Mastercard Fintech Forum is not only a competition but also an opportunity for networking. The event will feature startup founders, high-ranking Mastercard executives, investors, entrepreneurs, and leaders from the innovation space. Representatives from the banking industry in Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Israel will be in attendance, offering networking opportunities for fintechs to explore strategic partnerships, co-innovation opportunities, and access to Mastercard’s global network.

Panagiotis Polydoros, Mastercard’s Country Manager for Greece, Cyprus, and Malta, emphasised Mastercard’s commitment to fostering innovation in all aspects of its operations. He encouraged fintech startups to participate in the Athens Fintech Forum, contributing to the emergence of innovative ideas and technologies that will shape the future of the fintech industry. Participation in the pitch competition is open to fintechs from the specified countries, and access to the event is by invitation only.