Mastercard Lighthouse FINITIV spring program was dominated by companies working within payment acceptance. Hence after, fall program looks to be focussed on enhancing transactions through smart solutions, loyalty, transaction monitoring and fraud prevention. Overall, 15 companies were selected to partake in FINITIV 2022 Fall program who will join the kick-offs in Sweden, Finland and Latvia.

Since its launch in 2018, the Mastercard Lighthouse FINITIV has been the definitive showcase of trends in Nordic and Baltic Fintech. Disruptive alumni like Doconomy and Aiia have each gone on to create categories of fintech like “sustainability analytics” and “open banking” that are now fully mainstream.

This fall, the program’s key trend is “smarter payments”. Many of the program’s 15 admitted startups are focused on enhancing payment transactions through smart solutions, loyalty, transaction monitoring and fraud prevention. This fall, the program takes place in partnership with major banks in Sweden, Finland and Latvia.

Lighthouse FINITIV’s goal is to strengthen the financial services ecosystem across the region–and thus far Nordics have made consistent contributions to payment innovation.

Gigapay is a scalable salary payments infrastructure for the gig and creator economy.

Econans provides white-label digital simulation tools for sustainable personal finance

Sossip is a payment solution that uses AI to create smart money management services.

Direct2Internet enables merchants to offer customers seamless payment experience with ease by offering payment facilitator functionalities with multiple partner-banks. With new innovative AI can a merchant choose right acquiring bank (d2i.se)

Plexian is developing the loyalty platform for the future and through creative membership programs create enhanced member values.

FPSystem is developing a seamless biometric payment and financing solution for events and holiday resorts.

Bcar.app is providing a global EV plugshare and charging mobile app including leasing of EV chargers and a community & EV sharing marketplace.

FinanceKey is building a payment and treasury operations platform for businesses to gain time, money and better control.

VALEGA Chain Analytics work with Automated Compliance & Transaction Risk analysis for blockchains to prevent Money-laundering and other criminal activities which is associated with Digital Currencies.

Mobibank combines all of the end users banking needs in one hub removing the need for multiple apps to people.

Huntli  helps banks and fintechs by providing them with developed tools for risk management, live
transaction monitoring & fraud prevention.

Tailwind is a web app that makes it easier for small businesses to forecast their cash flows thanks
to visualization & automation.

CrowdedHero is an equity crowdfunding platform that gives the opportunity for growing companies
to attract additional funding.

Olpay offers a 360-degree payment solution to retailers replacing their legacy POS Terminal with a modern solution built on Tap-on-Phone and Facial Recognition Payment.

Kwota is a Carbon Credits Marketplace that creates digital validation and trading of CO₂ emission savings derived from material recycling.

Payments has always been one of the program’s focal points, and Mastercard continues to invest in improving the payment experience. During last spring’s program Mastercard, alongside leading banks in the region, explored partnerships with a number of fintechs focused on innovative technologies within payment acceptance. This cohort, in line with a general theme of “smarter payments,” two fintechs, SmilePay and FPSystem, are building biometric payment solutions, Sossip, FinanceKey, Plexian and D2I Financial Services enhancing payment capabilities.

Lighthouse remains a competitive program for start-ups to enter. This fall, 97 companies applied by submitting partnership proposals and company details. Twenty-one shortlisted FINITIV applicants pitched Mastercard and its partner banks prior to the final class selection. Sustainability continues to be high on the agenda, with companies like Kwota, Econans and Bcar.app working on solutions to off-set, manage and better the mobility. One of the focus areas we have been working with is building better services for SMEs and also this time we have companies like Gigapay, Tailwind and CrowdedHero

During the program, admitted start-ups will be able to present their solutions and discuss possible collaboration areas with Mastercard, SEB, Swedbank and OP Financial Group in a 1:1 setting. Mid-program, companies will be matched with relevant investors from the Lighthouse Investor Circle, a group of 40+ investors covering Europe and North America. Additionally, the companies will meet pro bono growth advisors including Fintech Mundi, Invenio Growth and AWS. The program also facilitates meetings with Mastercard Marketing and Communication teams for guidance in making their story and messaging clear and enticing.

Press contact:

Annika Kristersson, Director of Communications Nordics & Baltics, annika.kristersson@mastercard.com