DIFC to expand its FinTech offering in partnership with Startupbootcamp

• Partnership to provide multiple programmes for early stage startups
• Enhances Dubai’s and DIFC’s reputation for promoting entrepreneurship
• Partnership to expand DIFC’s FinTech and venture capital ecosystem

Dubai, UAE: 19 June 2018 - Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the leading international financial hub in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, announced today that it is entering a partnership with Startupbootcamp, to support the development of the growing FinTech and venture capital ecosystem in the Centre as well as promote entrepreneurship in the region.

Startupbootcamp has a reputation for being the world’s largest global network of industry-specific programmes that support early stage tech companies to rapidly scale their businesses by providing access to an international network of the most relevant mentors, partners and investors. With over 1,853 active registered companies and a Fintech community of over 45 firms as well as numerous FinTech-related clients, DIFC is today MEASA’s leading financial centre and FinTech hub. In addition to FinTech Hive at DIFC, the region’s first accelerator programme for growth stage startups, DIFC’s FinTech ecosystem comprises an innovation-testing license, FinTech licence, an interactive and collaborative workspace, along with access to the largest financial community in the region.

The partnership will explore setting up multiple programmes for early stage startups within the fields of FinTech, InsurTech and RegTech, in collaboration with a broad range of stakeholders from various sectors – beyond the realm of financial services. The programme will focus on providing the necessary guidance and mentorship to support the qualifying early stage startups during their incubation period. It will also see the two parties jointly nurture the UAE and regional venture capital ecosystem, building on DIFC’s success in this field. This collaboration will help stimulate the development of complementary products and services and promote the entrepreneurial surge in the UAE, which will attract more venture capital into the region.

Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer at the DIFC Authority, said: “As MEASA’s leading FinTech hub and one of the world’s top 10, Dubai remains at the forefront of driving the future of this important industry and enabling the development of an inclusive financial ecosystem across the MEASA region. We continue to deliver on our promise to lead the development of a world-class FinTech ecosystem in the region and provide an integrated platform for entrepreneurs, startups, and venture capital firms, to come together and create innovative solutions for the region through our collaboration with industry leaders like Startupbootcamp.

All of the efforts we are delivering are part of the broader innovation-led strategy that Dubai is promoting, guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.”

Carsten Koelbek, Chairman of Startupbootcamp, said: “Startupbootcamp has been leading the development of the FinTech and InsurTech industries in cities like London, New York, Singapore, Amsterdam, Mexico City and Mumbai through our programmes. To date we have invested in and accelerated more than 200 FinTech and InsurTech startups. We are now excited about expanding our global FinTech and InsurTech foot print to Dubai and look forward to collaborating with DIFC, the leading financial centre in the MEASA region, and industry partners to both help local and regional talent grow their businesses, but also to bring the best international startups to Dubai so they can partner with the established players here in Dubai and together bring new technology and business models to the market.”

Startupbootcamp has relationships with an unparalleled network of global brands, investors and mentors who will bring their expertise into the region to help the selected programme participants develop locally, regionally and globally relevant FinTech and InsurTech solutions.