Eric van der Kleij, former CEO of TechCity UK and founder of Level39, together with his experienced international team will lead the development of the FinTech program scheduled to launch in August 2016. For FinTech more than 200 start-ups have submitted their business cases. In total, more than 900 teams from 40 countries have applied for the coveted places at one of the four Kickstart programs.
Eric and the accelerator team bring with them a wealth of experience from setting up and delivering world-class accelerator programs and hubs such as Level 39 in London, to supporting and investing in high potential startups in Silicon Valley. Working for the Kickstart team they will apply their expertise and international connections throughout August to November 2016 at the Kickstart Accelerator program in the heart of Zurich.
”I am impressed with the level of ambition, resource and access that Kickstart and its leading banking, insurance, telco and consulting partners have brought together” says Eric van der Kleij. “Adding the international FinTech connections to Zurich as a world financial centre will prove hugely attractive for pioneering new talent and I believe that the close links being organised between founders and the partner companies will help to develop both high potential new concepts and the connections to rapidly scale for world markets”.
The FinTech program is part of the Kickstart Accelerator, an initiative of DigitalZurich2025 and the Kick Foundation and one of the largest accelerators in Europe, which aims at promoting Switzerland as one of the leading locations for digital enterprise. Operated by Impact Hub, the Kickstart Accelerator and its distinct FinTech program will provide unrivalled access for selected start-ups to leading players in the Swiss and global financial marketplace.
Furthermore, successful applicants will benefit from financial assistance for three months, a workplace in Zurich, industry-leading mentorship, exclusive meetings with prominent voices in the FinTech ecosystem, introductions to investors and, of course, the expert guidance of Eric van der Kleij and the international accelerator team.
900 teams applied
As of today more than 900 teams from 40 countries have applied for the coveted places at one of the four Kickstart programs which are organised into four themes: FinTech, Smart & Connected Machines, Food and Emerging & Future Technologies. For FinTech more than 200 start-ups have submitted their business cases with focus areas in Blockchain, Smart Contracts, Wealth Management, InsureTech and Digital Identity.
A detailed selection process is currently underway to identify applicants that have the most compelling concepts as well as the largest potential to benefit from the three months acceleration program. Final selections are to be expected no later than July 2016.
The FinTech program within Kickstart Accelerator is funded and facilitated collaboratively by several leading Swiss-based organisations including Credit Suisse, EY, Global FinTech Association, Swisscom, Swiss Life and UBS.
(Press release)
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