Accelerating tech in financial services

No theater, no non-sense, the hard way. Fast-forward your business & execute
A proof of concept with a top tier bank

Apply now

DISCOVER MORE

We are looking for startups that offer a solution to one of the following 4 challenges

Instant advice, instant everything.

Looking for personal experiences driven by data analytics, IoT & AI (chatbots, robo-advisors, etc.)

INSTANT BANK

The future of safe & secure.

Looking for groundbreaking solutions in the Biometrics, Cybersecurity, Regtech & Risk Modelling sphere.

SECURE BANK

Going beyond the traditional.

Help us challenge the borders of financial services today.

OPEN BANK

Rethinking the business bank.

Looking for (non-) financial services for SMEs with a focus on data insights, risk modelling & Business Financial Management.

SME BANK

Discover the main drivers of success and ways to boost your chances of being selected to the programme

What’s the programme about?

Real life testing & tuning

Depending upon the development stage of your solutions, we will team up to conduct:

a Proof of Concept to make sure that your technology works in the complex and regulated environment of a top tier bank, and/or
a Proof of Value to measure the business impact of your solutions and its value. This will provide you with more experience and enable you to tune your solution for even more relevance and impact…and ultimately to sign a contract with ING.

Masterclasses

To support the Proof of Concept, we run a track of masterclasses. This track exists out of key trainings obligatory to all and is complemented with ad hoc mentoring & support via a mentor pool. Within our pool of mentors & trainers we have seasoned bankers, entrepreneurs, VCs and industry & topic experts available on demand to share their tips & tricks. The goal is to better equip you with the skills, tools & networks needed to accelerate your growth, and continue to improve your solution and go-to-market.

Is it something for you?

Definitively if you can tick the following 3 boxes:

Your solution addresses one of our challenges.
You will commit to do what is required to succeed. This includes assigning the right resources to be present in BENELUX for the execution of the PoC/PoV and the masterclasses track.
You have a good understanding of what you want to test and validate at FinTech Village through Proof of Concept / Proof of Value.

We are looking for outstanding teams with great ideas capable of solving one of the challenges mentioned above. Of course, if you have something really innovative or disruptive that goes beyond the bounds of these challenges, do not hesitate to surprise us.

Our commitment

A dedicated lead sponsor from ING at senior level that will work closely with you on the design and execution of your Proof of Concept / Proof of Value.
A tailor-made programme focusing on the relevant learnings you need to move forward.
A personalized team of mentors and sponsors from ING and our external partners to support your progress and provide access to the expertise and networks we have available.
A dedicated office space (including internet access, desk & meeting space) close to your ING sponsor for the full duration of the programme as well as a travel & accommodation budget for the international teams.

How can you boost your chances?

Apply fast!

The sooner you apply the sooner we can start up the discussions with potential sponsors and mentors on what a Proof of Concept or Proof of Value could look like. As such, an early application not only increases the chances of being selected but if selected it will also be beneficial to the success of the programme itself.

Please make sure that the following information in your application really is compelling:

Evidence of your market credibility, potential commercial successes and other endorsements, particularly those from key figures in the financial sector, venture capitalists, etc.
Details of the progress you have made so far with your prototypes and solutions.
Your vision on the key hypotheses you would like to test as a next stage of your development.

We do not expect you to be perfect, but to be eager to learn, take things on and make it happen!

What is the timeline?

08/10/2018:

Kick-off online applications

Online application form

30/11/2018:

Closing date applications

1st contact with ING

Mentor and sponsor matching

Start POC/POV design

31/12/2018:

Selection of short list

23/01/2019:

Pitch Day

POC-POV design confirmation and preparation

11/03/2019:

Kick-off Fintech Village and tailor-made programme

Execute POC/POV

Masterclasses

27/06/2019:

Demo day

Summer 2019

Kick –off post-FinTech Village collaboration

Meet our FinTech Village inhabitants and hear what they have to say about the programme

FinTech Village Cohort 2016

FinTech Village Cohort 2017

FinTech Village Cohort 2018

See our cohorts in action & discover their experience

What is the unique factor of FinTech Village according to our 2018 alumni?

Find out more about how our 2018 cohort experienced the FinTech Village program.

ING sponsors talking about their experience with FinTech Village & why they recommend others to join.

What is FinTech Village about? Find out more through this high-level introduction to the program.

There are a couple of reasons why ING is collaborating with startups through FinTech Village

Hear what our 2017 cohort has to say about their FinTech Village experience.

Find out more about our 2016 cohort and their FinTech Village journey.

What is FinTech Village about? Find out more through this high-level introduction to the program.

Each startup will be assigned a dedicated team of mentors and sponsors.

& many more...

We have an open model with multiple strong partners and access to their respective networks.

The ING FinTech Village is an initiative powered by ING Belgium in strong collaboration with ING Netherlands , ING Luxembourg, the ING Group and other key partners.

ING Group is a global financial institution that provides a full range of banking services, servicing over 85 million private, corporate and institutional customers in more than 40 countries across the world in Europe, the US, Canada, Latin America, Asia and Australia.

ING Has a long-standing history of innovation, including the straightforward, customer-centric approach of ING Direct, among many others.

Core Partners

Partners

Answers to some of your frequently asked questions.

General overview

How do I apply?: When we are recruiting, there is an “Apply Now” button displayed at the top of the page. This button will direct you to a questionnaire on www.F6S.com. Finalizing this questionnaire will mean you have officially applied. If you currently do not find this “Apply Now” button at the top of the page, that means we are not recruiting! Would like to get in touch anyway? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us at info@fintech-village.com
What kinds of startups is FinTech Village targeting?: We are looking for technology-driven startups that offer solutions relevant for financial institutions and/or which can help us provide superior financial services to our customers. Target participants are either startups that are close to the Proof of Concept stage, with the intention that they can conduct a Proof of Concept or pilot with ING and/or FinTech Village Partners to further fine tune their technology ; either scale-ups that are already in the commercial phase but that want to expand into a completely new way for them and learn from a collaboration with a top tier bank such as ING.
How many companies will be selected?: We will host between 7 and 10 startups. The exact number is less important than the qualitative considerations. Our aim is to select great teams with great ideas for whom our programme can make a substantial difference.
WHAT ARE THE SELECTION CRITERIA?: The most important criterion for us is your team. To increase your chances of being selected, our best advice is that you build a team with the right mix of experience, skills and mind-set. In addition to that, the sooner you apply, the sooner we can bring you into contact with potential mentors to discuss the potential of a collaboration. We suggest that you make as much progress as possible towards a workable Proof of Concept and/or clearly define a testing or validation objective.

Partners

What is the role of ING and its partners?

ING takes the lead in organising the accelerator programme with the aim of identifying relevant technologies and solutions for its customers. ING will provide mentorship and guidance to startups from its senior managers and content experts, as well as access to various infrastructure elements (APIs etc).

Deloitte and SWIFT Innotribe are core FinTech Village partners. They will play an important role in selecting the startups and providing access to several senior managers and content experts for mentorship and guidance.

Deloitte will provide regular coaching and advice to startups on matters such as innovation, security, growth hacking, etc. This advisory support will be delivered directly by senior resources, including Deloitte’s partners as well as leaders of relevant practices and excellence centres.

Moreover, Deloitte will make its global network available for FinTech Village participants, whether it is to reach Deloitte globally or to help access external resources and contacts in the broader Deloitte network.

Innotribe will bring their unique expertise in the fields of payment and securities infrastructure, security and standards but also compliance and innovation.

Next to its core partners FinTech Village is supported by investor, technology and other partners.

Eligible Startups hosted in FinTech Village will also be admitted to the IBM Global Entrepreneur programme for Cloud Startups and receive IBM Cloud credits from IBM to launch, build, and scale their business on the IBM Cloud. Startups have access to IBM Softlayer and IBM Bluemix including a range of Services and API's such as IBM Watson, Internet of Things, Analytics, Mobile and more.

What is in it for ING and its partners?

Every FinTech Village partner and ING recognise the importance of open innovation. Open innovation and working with startups is critical to bringing new financial services to our customers faster than would otherwise be possible. The fintech ecosystem is ever-changing and startups bring the necessary agility required to create distinctive value propositions. FinTech Village core partners aim to build a win-win-win model where startups can benefit from their industry scale and expertise and industry partners can identify unique business opportunities offering exciting and innovative services to the benefit of their customers.

Are new partners expected to join?

Over time, we expect other partners to join and enrich the programme. Likewise, partners may decide to end their partnership. We welcome new partnerships that will make the FinTech Village an even more vibrant accelerator and add more unique value to startups. We do not make any guarantees as to the availability and contribution of partners.

Application Process

What is the overall selection process?: In a first phase, the application process is held online via an application form where you can tell us about your startup. The questions are designed to understand your solution, your team and the fit with our criteria. It is also designed to help us understand who could be your best mentors and sponsors at ING and our partner organisations. This is important, because the second phase of the selection involves potential lead mentors who will review your application and start thinking about the tailored programme you would receive from them. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews/pitches in Brussels. Candidates that are not retained on the shortlist will be informed. Between the application and interview/pitches we may ask for additional information when needed. The selection is at the entire discretion of ING and its partners.
How detailed should the application be?: Our application form on www.F6S.com covers many questions on the problem and market you address, your team, stage of development, etc. We understand that depending on the stage of development of your startup you may or may not have answers to all questions. That is fine. However, keep in mind that with more information we will be in a better position to understand and assess your startup.
Do we need to have or provide a business plan?: No, just complete the application.
Do we need to be established as a company?: Yes, you will need to be established as a company to join the programme.
Our startup has already attended another accelerator. Can we still apply?: Yes, absolutely.
Is my age a criterion?: Not at all.
Is nationality a criterion?: Nationality is not a criterion, but you must be able to come to Belgium for ca. 8x3 days over a 16 weeks period (with possible exceptions to be discussed). ING has foreseen a reasonable budget for the travel and accommodation of international participants.
Are there any other conditions for applying?: Please carefully read through the entire website, including this FAQ, the terms of use of the website and the privacy statement and you will then know everything you need to apply. If you get through the first selection, you will receive more information on what is expected from you during selection interviews.
What if I am selected to participate?: If you are selected, ING will sign an agreement with you detailing all the particulars of your participation to FinTech Village, such as the services, office facilities and mentoring to be delivered, other respective rights and obligations, publicity, etc. Short-listed startups will be informed in due time.
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Programme

What is so special about the FinTech Village?

The unique offer of FinTech Village is the opportunity to execute a PoC/PoV with a top tier bank through a sponsorship structure that appoints a dedicated senior manager at the bank who wants to explore the potential of a commercial collaboration with you.

Next to this seasoned banker profile, you will be able to benefit from hands-on mentoring from a personalized mentor team existing out of senior experts from ING, our partners, entrepreneurs, VCs, etc. with the goal to make your stronger as a company.

You will also receive unique access to top-level expertise & the networks from leading players such as SWIFT Innotribe, Deloitte, serial entrepreneurs, influencers, etc.

Will all mentors and sponsors come from ING ?

Each startup will be assigned a lead sponsor who is a senior leader at ING. If relevant you will also have a mentor from one of our Partners.

In addition to your lead sponsor, ING and its partners will also assign topical or functional experts who can accelerate the development of your startup, depending on your specific requirements.

ING, Innotribe, Deloitte and/or other partners will put forward their global networks of expertise and relationships to support your business. The FinTech Village will facilitate access to potential clients, suppliers, advisors, investors and other resources you may need.

What happens at the end of the programme?

At the end of the programme there will be a demo day open to key stakeholders on invitation. We will invite key figures from the networks of ING and its partners, including the press and several VCs.

Funding

Do startups get funding?

The primary purpose of FinTech Village is to help startups test their concept with a Proof of Concept, Proof of Value or a pilot, and proceed into further collaboration if relevant. The primary purpose is not to access funding. However, if you would need funding, we would be happy to put you in contact with our investor partners. If you are offered funding through an investment, this will be an arrangement between you and the respective investor. You should seek independent advice if required, before making a decision.

Next to that, under specific circumstances, FinTech Village may contribute to travel and housing expenses for teams coming from abroad.

Who owns the IP rights?

Participating in the FinTech Village programme does not require any transfer of intellectual property rights from your startup to ING. There might be exceptions if your participation in the FinTech Village involves deep co-development and sharing of IP assets belonging to ING or its partners during the programme. This will then be subject to a separate agreement. However, the general idea is that you remain the owner of what you bring to the table, as does ING.

Are there any exclusivity constraints?

You understand that ING delivers considerable input and financial means for the setup of FinTech Village and its operation.

We therefore expect that you do not participate in another accelerator programme during your stay at FinTech Village, and that you will personally attend and invest sufficient effort to make your FinTech Village experience successful.

On the other hand, we understand that startups need to work with multiple clients and partners, who sometimes are our competitors. We like to work with successful companies and we will help you to the extent possible to grow your business (e.g. through referrals). However, we expect startups to be transparent about concurrent PoC or pilots with direct competitors to us and our partners, both during the selection procedure as during their stay at FinTech Village. Whether this causes issues to attend/continue attending FinTech Village will be discussed on a case by case with the startups.

Do I have to pay an application or a participation fee?

No, applying is free of cost. You do however agree to apply at your own risk and bear all costs you incur to make your application and participate to the selection process.

Once selected, you will not have to pay a fee for being at the FinTech Village or for the services offered there. You will however bear your own costs and fund all activities of your staff, technology and other resources during the programme.

A reasonable budget for travel and accommodation has been foreseen by ING for international participants.

Logistics and admin

Where will the Fintech Village be located?: The FinTech Village is located in Brussels, close to ING and its main partners.
Are startups required to spend time on premises?: Yes, this is critical. We expect founders/senior leaders within your startup to spend a significant amount of time on site. Without this, the programme will not deliver its full potential. However, it does not mean that your entire team must be on site at all times.
Does ING provide accommodation for participants?: We do not provide accommodation. If needed we can put you in contact with parties that can help you find accommodation during your stay at the accelerator.
Can I apply if our startup or founders are not from Belgium?: Startups and founders can come from anywhere. However, your team will need to have the legal right to stay in Belgium at least for the duration of the programme. We can put selected startups in contact with agencies and services that can help you with visas and immigration matters. If necessary we will help you with visa/immigration issues.
Can startups stay on site after the programme?: After the completion of the programme, the startups who will continue to conduct a Proof of Concept or Proof of Value with ING and/or its partners might have the opportunity of staying on site until a new cohort arrives. The exact conditions can be discussed as part of the proof-of-concept agreement.

Legal

What guarantees can the FinTech Village make towards companies accepted into the programme?

Once you are selected, you will sign a final participation agreement with ING. This will detail our respective rights and obligations. ING’s commitment to participants is to provide office facilities, relevant mentoring from ING and its partners, help in the development of your business model for your product, and other types of support when feasible and relevant. We will also provide visibility within partner organizations and help develop any business opportunities that may emerge from the programme. The services to be provided may differ, depending on the interests, needs and activities of the participants.

Feel free to detail in your application what facilities, services and support you would benefit from most.

If, during or after your stay at the FinTech Village, you will conduct a Proof of Concept or Proof of Value with ING and/or its partners, this will most likely be subject to a separate agreement.

Is a participating startup’s product or service guaranteed to be used or distributed by ING and/or its partners?

No, participating to the FinTech Village is no guarantee that the product or service will be used or distributed by ING and/or its partners. It is entirely at our discretion as to whether or not we wish to do a Proof of Concept or Proof of Value and/or enter into any commercial arrangement with a participating company after the programme. The same applies to our partners. There are also no obligations on your side.

Contact us

Drop us a line!

Avenue Marnix 24
B-1000 Brussels

Accelerating tech in financial services

No theater, no non-sense, the hard way. Fast-forward your business & execute A proof of concept with a top tier bank

We are looking for startups that offer a solution to one of the following 4 challenges

Discover the main drivers of success and ways to boost your chances of being selected to the programme

What’s the programme about?

Real life testing & tuning

Masterclasses

Is it something for you?

Definitively if you can tick the following 3 boxes:

Our commitment

How can you boost your chances?

What is the timeline?

Meet our FinTech Village inhabitants and hear what they have to say about the programme

FinTech Village Cohort 2016

FinTech Village Cohort 2017

FinTech Village Cohort 2018

See our cohorts in action & discover their experience

Each startup will be assigned a dedicated team of mentors and sponsors.

We have an open model with multiple strong partners and access to their respective networks.

Core Partners

Partners

Answers to some of your frequently asked questions.

General overview

Partners

Application Process

Programme

Funding

Logistics and admin

Legal

Contact us

No theater, no non-sense, the hard way. Fast-forward your business & execute
A proof of concept with a top tier bank