Catapult:
Inclusion Ukraine

SPECIAL EDITION

OCTOBER 14th to 18th 2024
In person – Luxembourg
Catapult: Inclusion Ukraine

Introduction

The Catapult: Inclusion Ukraine program is a dynamic one-week bootcamp tailored for fintech firms.

The program is run on-site at the LHoFT’s innovation Hub in Luxembourg from October 14th to October 18th, 2024. 

Building upon the success of the CATAPULT acceleration programs since 2018 and sponsored by the Directorate for Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs, this special edition is fully dedicated to Ukrainian Fintechs and Financial Inclusion, delivered in collaboration with exclusive partners in the Luxembourg Financial Inclusion services ecosystem.

Centred around three key pillars—impact, scaling, and funding—the program offers participants a unique opportunity to engage with leaders, investors, and founders in Luxembourg’s Financial Inclusion landscape, gaining invaluable insights and knowledge. The program culminates in an opportunity for participants to pitch in front of an expert audience.

The Catapult: Inclusion Ukraine program accommodates 10 promising Fintech firms active in impact finance and financial inclusion broadly (travel and accommodation costs covered for one participant per Fintech), providing them with a dedicated program for learning how to scale, to build a business model with higher societal impact and to raise and manage capital effectively.

If you are a Ukrainian-focused fintech developing locally innovative solutions that create tangible impact, this program is for you.

Key Pillars:

IMPACT


Focus on creating positive social and economic impact in Ukraine through financial inclusion.

SCALING


Participants will gain insights into effective strategies for expanding their businesses, including partnership building, customer acquisition, and operational optimisation.

FUNDING


Participants will learn funding strategies and financial management to secure resources, launch innovative solutions, and drive financial inclusion in Ukraine.

The program offers participants a unique opportunity to engage with leaders, investors, and founders in Luxembourg’s Financial Inclusion landscape, gaining invaluable insights and knowledge. The program concludes with participants pitching to a panel of industry experts.

Why Luxembourg:

  • European leader in responsible investment fund assets, accounting for 31% of funds and 39% of all assets under management and has an extensive ecosystem of supporting initiatives and institutions.
  • Committed to the eradication of extreme poverty and support for sustainable development.
  • Exceeded official development assistance aid donations set by the UN’s Millennium Development Goals, committing an average 1% of gross national income over the past 5 years.
  • Facilitating the establishment of the European Microfinance Platform.
  • Spearheading field research in the inclusive finance sector.
  • Set up a Responsible Investing fund labelling agency, LuxFLAG with the support of the European Investment Bank and six other partners from the civil and private sectors. 
  • Making Fintech a strategic focus area for the LHoFT in the realm of financial inclusion aligns with Luxembourg’s goals.
  • Delivering annually the European Microfinance Award annually in Luxembourg.

Luxembourg’s strategic focus on sustainable finance and start-up support provides participating Fintech firms with outstanding access to a thriving financial services ecosystem, accelerating growth and impact in Ukraine and beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions

What?

A fully funded, 5-day training and networking bootcamp delivered in English, focused on Impact, Scaling, and Funding for Ukrainian Fintech companies.

Who?

10 selected Ukrainian Fintech companies operating in Ukraine, regardless of their headquarters.

Why?

To connect Ukrainian Fintechs with key stakeholders, including Microfinance Institutions, investors, and industry experts, and to learn how to become more efficient and effective with sustained impact.

When?

This special edition of Catapult: Inclusion Ukraine takes place from October 14th to October 18th, 2024 in Luxembourg.

How?

The bootcamp is delivered in collaboration with key stakeholders from the Luxembourg financial ecosystem and includes classroom tutorials, customer discovery sessions, challenges, pitching sessions, mentoring engagements, and networking events.

Get Involved!

 

Don’t miss out on this opportunity – apply now to be part of Catapult: Inclusion Ukraine!

Eligibility Criteria

  • Selected fintechs must have at least a demonstrable Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and are typically in the pre-seed to seed stage of funding. 
  • Fintechs must be Ukrainian, with their registered office in Ukraine or outside but operating in Ukraine.
  • Fintechs must have a clear financial inclusion or impact finance focus.
  • Fintechs will be required to submit all necessary information to the LHoFT to assess the project’s viability, the company’s background, and the profiles of the owners and key shareholders, in order to mitigate risks of non-compliance or dubious applications.
  • The selected fintechs must ensure that a founding team member, preferably the CEO, will attend the program for its entire duration. Additionally, fintechs must agree to provide ongoing performance metrics and business status updates to the LHoFT for a period of three years following program completion for evaluation purposes.

Covered Costs

Strategic Partners

Contact

Sponsors, Mentors & Guests:

Do you need more information about the program? Please, contact:

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