For the second consecutive year, Mastercard is hosting the Mastercard Fintech Forum in Athens. The event invites fintechs from Southeast Europe to compete for a spot in the European competition in June 2024 in Berlin, which leads to the global program Start Path by Mastercard for emerging businesses.

Registrations are already open, and interested companies can submit their applications on the platform until January 20, 2024.

The Mastercard Fintech Forum, scheduled for February 2024 in Athens, aims to support start-up enterprises by bringing together financial sector executives, fintech companies, investors, and venture capitalists. This initiative sparks discussions on new fintech ecosystem trends and fosters fruitful future collaborations. During the event, participating startups will have the opportunity to present their business plans, focusing on innovation, and network with investors, venture capitals, and banking industry professionals.

The two companies selected by judges and the audience will win tickets to the main event in Berlin, gathering winners from regional events to compete for a place in the final selection phase of Mastercard's Start Path program.

It's noteworthy that Kipp from Israel, the winner of last year's Athens competition, secured first place in the final phase of the competition held in Berlin in 2023.

Besides the competition, the Mastercard Fintech Forum in Athens will feature founders of start-up businesses, senior international executives from Mastercard, investors, entrepreneurs, leaders in innovation, venture capitals, technology companies, and banking representatives from Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Israel. This networking opportunity helps emerging fintechs gain access to strategic partnerships, co-innovation opportunities, and inclusion in Mastercard's global network.

Panagiotis Polydoros, Country Manager of Mastercard for Greece, Cyprus, and Malta, stated: "At Mastercard, we aim to highlight innovation in every aspect of our operations. The fintech start-up ecosystem in Southeast Europe has flourished, and we are thrilled to support the development of these emerging businesses, offering them substantial opportunities for growth. I encourage every fintech to participate in the Athens Fintech Forum, share their proposals, and contribute to the development of innovative ideas and technologies that will shape the future of the fintech sector."

Applications for participation in the competition are open to fintechs from Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Israel, while attendance at the event is by invitation only.