The UK government-backed Tech Nation is inviting applications for the second cohort of its fintech growth programme, which promises to give members intensive backing to help grow their businesses and the country's financial technology ecosystem.
First unveiled as part of the government's fintech sector strategy in March 2018, the programme sees participants get the chance to work with and learn from some of the UK's top fintech entrepreneurs.
Applications are now open for this year. 25 firms will be selected by a panel of expert judges, including Tech Nation chair Eileen Burbidge and Starling Bank CEO Anne Boden.
The programme’s five-month schedule will put the CEOs of chosen firms through nine themed insights sessions covering topics such as regulation, partnering with established financial services firms and expanding internationally.
The cohort will also attend networking events to meet key stakeholders and decision makers, and the programme will culminate with a three-day international showcase trip to the US.
The inaugural cohort raised an average of £1.1 million each last year. Of the 20 companies, 35% were based outside London, and 40% had a female founder or co-founder.
Says Burbidge: "Last year the Tech Nation Fintech Growth programme attracted an extremely high calibre of participants, and this year we are looking for equally diverse, innovative and ambitious fintech business leaders to apply."
John Glen, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, adds: "The UK is number one in the world for scaleup investment into fintech firms, generating £4.5 billion in funding between 2015 and 2018.
"That’s why we are accelerating the development of this already thriving sector through the Fintech Sector Strategy, and the Tech Nation Growth Programme is an important part of that."