Seven innovative fintech companies from Greece, Cyprus, and Malta have been selected to participate in the new cycle of the Visa Innovation Program Europe 2026, as announced by the global leader in digital payments.

According to the announcement, interest in the program recorded a significant increase this year, with applications from the three countries rising by nearly 50% compared to last year. Following a competitive evaluation process, the companies AgriNow, Better, Cloudigo, Paytic, GYST, Outfindo, and Peanuds were selected.

The Visa Innovation Program Europe is now entering its eighth implementation cycle and aims to support the growth of fintech companies, accelerate innovation in financial services, and enhance digital payment solutions, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence and agentic commerce.

Through the program, startups will have the opportunity to collaborate with Visa’s network of partners, investors, and clients, gaining access to organizations that will allow them to test and further develop their solutions in real market conditions.

The program is implemented in Greece, Cyprus, and Malta in collaboration with Eleven Ventures and Endeavor Greece, while the 2026 edition focuses on three main pillars: artificial intelligence and agentic commerce, B2B solutions and money movement, as well as open finance and data.

The General Manager of Visa for Greece, Cyprus, Malta, and Israel, Sevi Vassileva, stated that innovation remains a defining factor in the evolution of payments and expressed optimism about the potential of new fintech companies to transform the financial sector.

Meanwhile, founding partner of Eleven Ventures, Daniel Tomov, said that the ecosystems of Greece, Cyprus, and Malta are evolving into strong fintech and artificial intelligence hubs, noting that the level of innovation in the region is stronger than ever.

Regional Managing Director of Endeavor Europe, Panayiotis Karabinis, emphasized that the program provides startups with access to networks, expertise, and market opportunities that are essential for their growth.

Among the selected companies is the Cypriot fintech Peanuds, which develops modular software for card- and account-based banking and financial products, enabling banks and fintech companies to manage their programs through a unified platform.

According to program data, more than 1,900 applications from 15 countries have been submitted since 2019, while over 150 fintech companies have participated in the Visa Innovation Program Europe, receiving mentorship and access to Visa’s broader ecosystem.

The program will conclude in November 2026 with the Visa Innovation Program Europe Summit, where participating companies will present their progress to industry executives and members of the fintech ecosystem.

Source: Brief