Gerry Prizeman, head of small business & agri, Bank of Ireland, Ben Hurley, CEO, NDRC and Minister for Communications, Pat Rabbitte TD.
Ireland’s first financial technology start-up programme, NDRC FinTech, was launched this morning by Minister for Communications, Pat Rabbitte.
Established in association with blue chip firms and financial services enablers, Bank of Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, Mediolanum and State Street, NDRC FinTech will recruit ten early stage financial services startups to work with over a part-time five-week programme starting on 19 May 2014.
Through the programme, the ten selected start-ups will gain access to some of the sector’s most innovative mentors, access to launch processes and will be given access to resources and, most importantly, the time and opportunity to develop their ideas.
The NDRC has said that a start-up’s ideas can focus on any area of financial services where a new technology product could solve an existing problem, be that retail banking, capital markets, risk and compliance or any other area where innovators spot an opportunity. They are also seeking people who have specialist skills in tech, sales, marketing, design, and operations, who are interested in joining a startup team.
Speaking about the news, NDRC CEO, Ben Hurley spoke highly of Ireland’s history of promoting new start-ups: “Over the last 30 years Ireland’s international financial services sector has grown into one of the world’s finest and, alongside Ireland’s vibrant start-up ecosystem, is well positioned to be a leading centre for innovation.
“NDRC FinTech will harness the best ideas from those interested in the financial services industry, partner these people with experts and set about creating dynamic, sector-changing tech companies.”
Any financial start-up looking to apply needs to do so by 2 May, 5pm.
