Inclusive Fintech 50 – 2021

Early-stage promising fintechs for financial inclusion

The Inclusive Fintech 50 initiative leverages a competitive process led by an independent judging panel of experts to identify 50 early-stage fintechs driving financial inclusion and resilience.

We are looking for early-stage fintechs in advanced or emerging markets that offer a solution among credit, insurance, payments & remittances, savings & personal financial management, or infrastructure addressing the unique challenges of underserved customer segments (typically low-income populations and small businesses). As the COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the importance of financial services in helping people navigate the effects of the pandemic, this year, Inclusive Fintech 50 will be paying particular attention to fintechs that are providing digital tools and services to help their customers lay the foundations of recovery from the adverse economic impact of the pandemic.

The 50 selected fintechs will receive significant visibility among investors and partners through features in the media, the knowledge product and a digital event series. All applicants can opt-in to share contact information with the IF50 Investors Network, a group of leading investors who are keen to meet early-stage inclusive fintechs. Learn more: https://www.inclusivefintech50.com

Inclusive Fintech 50 is Sponsored by Visa Inc, MetLife FoundationJersey Overseas Aid & Comic Relief, with support from Accion and IFC. The initiative is implemented by the Center for Financial Inclusion, a global think tank that uses rigorous research and advocacy to advance inclusive financial systems for low-income people around the world.

Overview

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July 30, 2021
Organizer Center for Financial Inclusion
Website Visit website
Targets
Africa, Antarctica Region, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Europe, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Micronesia, Nicaragua, Northern America, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela
Sectors EdTech, Fintech, HealthTech

The Goal

  • The Inclusive Fintech 50 aims to make early-stage fintechs more visible to investors and others who can help them grow and have a noticeable impact on the billions of financially underserved people.

  • Additionally, the initiative supports the broader inclusive fintech ecosystem through actionable market-level insights generated from aggregated and anonymized applicant data.

Why apply?

MAJOR PUBLICITY

Build a global profile in front of leading investors and our media and outreach partners that we’ve handpicked, who each reach deep into their local ecosystems and, together, cover most of the world.

Not to mention the publicity generated by our global sponsors and supporting partners.

 
OPPORTUNITY TO GAIN CREDIBILITY WITH RELEVANT INVESTORS AND PARTNERS

We worked with investors to create questions that get beyond the fluff to identify startups poised for success. A panel of industry experts – including founders and investors – will select the winners. The 50 selected fintechs will have the opportunity to participate in virtual events with relevant investors and partners.

 
DIGITAL FEATURES

The 50 selected fintechs will be featured and promoted across the global fintech ecosystem through a publication, the Center for Financial Inclusion’s website, the VC4A website, and social media.

 
SIMPLE PROCESS

The application can be completed in a reasonable amount of time and doesn’t require multiple rounds of phone calls or interviews. Our selection criteria are comprehensive and rigorous, but straightforward.

Eligibility criteria

Fintechs applying to Inclusive Fintech 50 should be early-stage companies focused on underserved segments (i.e., Populations that have not been traditionally served by formal financial institutions). Fintechs that are self-funded, seed-stage, Series A, or Series B are welcome to apply.

Applicants can be B2C, B2B, or B2B2C with a solution among credit, insurance, payments & remittances, savings & personal financial management, or infrastructure addressing challenges of underserved segments.

Applications will be accepted in English, Spanish, and French.

Geography:

Global – fintechs from advanced and emerging markets are encouraged to apply.

Timeline

Activity