For the first time, SWIFT will host an African round of its global financial technology Start-up Challenge alongside its annual African regional conference (ARC), taking place from 5 to 7 May in Cape Town.
The ARC, now in its 22nd year, brings together policy makers, industry leaders and the broader financial community from across the African continent. Typically attracting up to 500 delegates from around 40 countries, ARC is a forum for networking, education, discussion and debate.
This year, ARC will partner with Innotribe, SWIFT’s financial technology innovation initiative, to bring Innotribe’s fintech Start-up Challenge to Africa.
The Start-up Challenge introduces the world’s brightest start-ups to financial service experts, angel investors, venture capitalists and global leading fintech and financial decision-makers.
In the 2015 Challenge, SWIFT Innotribe will have a round dedicated to fintech companies from across the African continent. These will come to Cape Town in order to pitch to investors.
Christian Sarafidis, head of Western Europe, Middle East & Africa at SWIFT, says: “ARC is already a unique event for the financial industry, creating a collaborative space where participants can gather to share experiences and look for solutions to common challenges. Bringing the Innotribe Start-up Challenge to the African community is an exciting step, meaning SWIFT Innotribe can help to support and nurture the new technologies that are going to play a big role in the future of the financial industry across the continent.”
The dates for the Innotribe Start-up Challenge in 2015 are London in April, Cape Town in May, Singapore in May and New York in June.
Semi-finalists – 15 companies per regional showcase – get the opportunity to showcase their new concepts and products in front of an audience looking for the best in class and voting for the top five companies at the end of each showcase. The 20 companies selected automatically secure their place as finalists in the Innotribe Start-up Challenge Grand Finale, taking place at Sibos in October.
