Sometimes you just need a little help.
IF50 is a competition to showcase early-stage fintechs driving financial inclusion in countries around the world. Each year, 50 winners are selected from a pool of applicants based on established criteria of inclusivity, innovation, scale potential, and traction. IF50 is sponsored by Visa, MetLife Foundation, Jersey Overseas Aid and Comic Relief, with support from Accion and IFC. The initiative is managed by the Center for Financial Inclusion (CFI).
The application period for the 2022 competition runs from June 27 through July 25, 2022. Fintech companies are encouraged to apply early. Winners are announced publicly at Financial Inclusion Week, October 17-20, 2022. View key dates.
An independent judging panel of industry-leading experts – including investors, fintech founders, and financial institution leaders – will assess the applicants and select the final 50 winners.
Judges assess applicants using selection criteria around inclusivity, innovation, scale potential, and traction. Winners are selected across all product types, including credit, insurance, payments & remittances, savings & personal financial management, and infrastructure.
To be considered for IF50 you must meet the eligibility criteria outlined above and submit a complete application before July 25, 2022. If you do not meet the criteria in the eligibility section at the beginning of the application, the system will inform you that you are not eligible to apply.
Winners will be listed as the Inclusive Fintech 50 and will also receive visibility through media partnerships, digital events, and research and insights work conducted by CFI. Winners may also have the opportunity to access additional services and tools from sponsors and investors, including zero-cost support tools provided by Visa. Learn more about the benefits.
We review all applications received. Given the large number of applications, we will not be able to provide feedback to individual companies.
You can submit your application in English, French, or Spanish.
No. Each company can submit only one application. The application should reflect information of a company’s flagship product that includes unserved or underserved populations. If more than one application is submitted for a single company, we will review only the first submitted.
No. Applicants must be a representative of the company they are submitting to IF50 and must have the legal authority to bind the fintech on whose behalf they submit an application to the terms and conditions set forth in the Official Rules.
Yes. There are opportunities throughout the application to upload supporting or relevant documentation and we strongly encourage the sharing of documents to provide evidence to back up your responses.
Yes. You can save your application any time by clicking the ‘Save’ button at the bottom of the application page. To resume, simply log back into the application portal.
Yes. Click on the ‘Manage Collaboration’ button at the top right of the application page and add a collaborator by entering their name and email address. They will receive a link to access your application. Once a collaborator is added, the application can be transferred to a new Primary Collaborator by clicking ‘Make Primary’. Access can also be removed from a collaborator by clicking ‘Remove Access’. Please note that only one user can edit the application at a time. The application will be locked when one user is editing to avoid accidental overwriting of information.
After checking that all required fields are populated and within the given word limits, click the “Submit” button. If the application has been successfully submitted, you will see a message confirming that we received your application. You will also receive a confirmation email to the email address you provided.
You can save your completed application as a PDF before or after submission. Under ‘My Applications’ on the left navigation menu, click on ‘All’ and then click ‘Print’.
That’s great news! No further action is required. We’ll reach out to the contact information you listed in your application if we require any clarification. Finalists will be announced on the IF50 website in October 2022.
Yes. All early-stage fintech companies (for-profit, non-profit, social enterprise) with target markets that include underserved population segments can apply.
Yes, you will need to register to apply. Registration is free.
- Supporting Documentation or link(s) regarding revenue models for your product(s) or service(s)
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Supporting Documentation or link(s) regarding the primary method(s) by which customers are charged for your product or service
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Supporting Documentation or link(s) regarding the data sources that enable the business model of your product
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Supporting Documentation or link(s) regarding your choice of technology tools and related techniques that you use to collect, store, share or analyze data
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Supporting Documentation or link(s) regarding the affordability, accessibility and appropriateness of your product or service to underserved customers
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Screenshot of consent form for customers
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Total amount of funding your business has received (in USD)
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Income statement and balance sheet from your last fiscal year
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Financial projections reflecting your key revenue and expense line items through December 31, 2023
By submitting content as part of your application for IF50, you agree to allow us to use this content for purposes related to the competition, including showcasing the winners. Your company’s financial information will only be shared with the Investors’ Network if you choose opt-in. For complete details, please read the Official Rules.
The application can be completed in an hour or two if you have all the required documentation ready. It helps to review the application questions and gather all required documentation before starting the process. You can also complete your application in multiple sessions by saving and editing later (see more details below).
Please see the Official Rules or email info@inclusivefintech50.com.