CATAPULT: FundTech 360°
1st Edition!
CATAPULT: FundTech 360°
1st Edition!
FundTech 360° – 2024 Edition
March 11th to March 15th 2024 – virtual presence
March 18th to March 22nd 2024 – in person in Luxembourg
The LHoFT —
Luxembourg
House of Financial
Technology
The Program
Unlocking the future of the Fund Industry
Catapult: FundTech 360° program is a dynamic two-week bootcamp for Post-Seed Fintech firms.
The program takes place partially online and also on-site at the LHoFT’s innovation hub in Luxembourg.
Co-sponsored by ALFI, the Association of the Luxembourg Fund Industry, and MiddleGame Ventures, this program is delivered by the LHoFT with robust support from partners in the financial services and Fintech sectors. The program is built around key challenges defined by the fund industry in Luxembourg.
Participants in this program will have the unique opportunity to connect with fund industry leaders, investors, and founders, gaining valuable insights and knowledge.
The Catapult: FundTech 360° program will accommodate 10 promising Fintech firms.
Selected participants will typically have a strong affinity with Luxembourg’s financial center and a specific focus on delivering innovative solutions related to:
- Governance workflows and reporting
- Cyber/Risk management
- ESG data management
- AI/ML-driven processes
At the end of the program, all participants will present their pitches to a jury at the ALFI conference.
Why Catapult: FunchTech 360° for Fintechs ?
Aligning with the LHoFT’s mission to ensure the future competitiveness of Luxembourg’s financial services sector, as well as the national strategic focus on fostering a thriving startup ecosystem, the Catapult: FundTech 360° program aims to resolve key challenges for Luxembourg’s largest sector of financial services, the fund industry. The program will leverage the interconnected and accessible fund industry in Luxembourg, harnessing the expertise and experience available within our centre.
Through this program, our objective is to support the development of Fintech solutions that deliver significant value to fund industry stakeholders while offering promising growth opportunities to emerging technology companies.
Fintech participants in the program have the real opportunity to establish valuable partnerships with one or more Luxembourg institutions through the connections made during the bootcamp. These partnerships could lead to Proof of Concept (PoC) and sales agreements, further propelling the growth of the participating companies.
The Fintech acceleration program for post-seed startups
Catapult: FundTech 360° is aimed at helping post-seed Fintech firms to develop their business models and to adapt to real customer needs.
Participants will receive guidance on how to build their business, identify and manage risk, deal with investment opportunities while working on practical tactics for customer acquisition and growth.
They will also have the opportunity to meet and learn from industry leaders, investors and key fintech stakeholders.
On the final day, the entrepreneurs will pitch their project to an elite group of judges at the ALFI Conference.
Learning
Building Business Acumen
Participate in expert-led interactive sessions focused on essential business building strategies such as business model mapping, market mapping, operations, growth, and scaling. Utilize tools like the Business Model Canvas to adapt and align your business strategies effectively to new markets.
Sharing
Cultivating a Supportive Network
Immerse yourself in a collaborative environment with fellow program participants. Share stories, exchange ideas, and build meaningful relationships that transcend the program’s duration. Foster a lifelong support network that thrives on mutual assistance and shared wisdom.
Listening
Gaining Insights from Industry Mentors
Benefit from the wealth of knowledge within Luxembourg’s extensive startup and financial services ecosystem. Engage with mentors and business professionals who will provide valuable advice and guidance, aiding your journey towards scaling and success.
Funding
Funding: Unlocking Opportunities for Growth
Engage with active investors that could help you bolster your business’s growth trajectory. Triumph in the program and unlock a gateway to a transformative consulting program with MiddleGame Ventures and a one-year membership with the LHoFT, gaining exclusive facility access and fostering synergies with the LHoFT and ALFI partners.
Why Luxembourg
- Luxembourg is the largest financial centre in the Eurozone, largest fund center in the EU and largest center for microfinance in the EU, draws on its political, economic and regulatory stability, benefiting from a unique pool of multilingual, highly skilled talent providing the key to unlock Europe’s huge and diverse single market.
- Luxembourg is recognised as one of the most innovative countries in the EU. (source: Innovation Leader, European Innovation Scoreboard, Index 2018)
- Luxembourg’s economy is the most open in Europe, and one of the most open in the world. (source : Business Openness, US News and World Report, Index 2020)
- Luxembourg has built up a very supportive and strong startup ecosystem including easy access to public and private decision makers, incubation facilities, a balanced mix of public and private funds, the presence of major international players as key potential partners
- Luxembourg is a key university and research center: 1 university, 4 research institutes active in ICT, industrial and health sectors.
- Luxembourg is the gateway to the EU for international Fintechs, the home to major e-payment and e-commerce companies, hosting over 185 innovative Fintech companies, active in Mobile payments, RegTech (compliance and regulatory solutions), Big Data analytics, DLT technologies, InsurTech, Automated investment services or Alternative lending…
- With Luxembourg’s ambitions related to the technology sector and creating a robust startup nation, the LHoFT and Alfi believe that Catapult: FundTech 360 will help catalyse more Fintech entrepreneurship.
Program
March 11th to March 15th 2024 – virtual presence
March 11th to March 15th 2024 – virtual presence
March 18th to March 22nd 2024 – in person in Luxembourg
March 18th to March 22nd 2024 – in person in Luxembourg
What?
Catapult: FundTech360° is a two-week acceleration programme, open to fintech startups from across the globe. The program seeks innovators aiming to revolutionize financial services, offering essential tools to facilitate the digital transformation of businesses in the fund industry.
When?
Gear up for a transformative 2-week program; the inaugural edition of Catapult: Fundtech 360 commences on Monday, March 11th 2024, and culminates on Friday, March 22nd 2024. Experience the first week of immersive learning virtually, followed by a week of enriched, on-site interactions at the LHoFT premises in Luxembourg, fostering a blend of flexibility and in-depth engagement.
Who?
10 Fintech companies will be selected for the Catapult: FundTech 360°. We are particularly interested in B2B fintech companies that specialize in innovative solutions related to Governance workflows, Cyber/Risk management, ESG data management, and AI/ML-driven processes, leveraging technologies such as Blockchain and Big Data, aligning with the strategic interests of Luxembourg’s financial services ecosystem.
How?
Catapult: Kickstarter is structured around classroom tutorials, experts talks, customer discovery, challenges, one-to-one meetings, pitching sessions, mentorship sessions and networking events.
Why?
Aligning with the LHoFT’s mission to ensure the future competitiveness of Luxembourg’s financial services sector, as well as the national strategic focus on fostering a thriving startup ecosystem, the Catapult: FundTech 360° program aims to resolve key challenges for Luxembourg’s largest sector of financial services, the fund industry.
Eligibility Criteria
Selected companies will have a product market fit and some paying clients or/and partnered with professional services.
Companies will likely be in the post-seed stage of funding.
Companies will submit all necessary information to the LHoFT in order to assess the viability of the project, company, background of owners and key shareholders to limit the risks of non-compliance or doubtful application of the programme.
Companies must agree and shall provide on-going performance metrics and business status for a period of three years post programme completion to the LHoFT for the purpose of programme evaluation.
The selected companies must guarantee that a founding team member, typically the CEO, will attend the programme for the duration of the two weeks.
To Be Eligible to Receive
the €50,000 Award:
The participating companies must attend all modules of the Catapult: Kickstarter programme.
The participating company must be amongst the 5 winners of the programme.
Companies will be required to register their business in Luxembourg, with substance and a minimum, fully paid-up, share capital of 10,000 EUR. They must also hold the necessary business license.
Companies should apply and provide any additional and all necessary information as required by the grantor of the award, the Luxembourg Ministry of the Economy.
Program & Strategic Partners
Program Partners
Strategic Partners
