Accenture's Fintech Innovation Lab is landing in Ireland, with banking and tech giants throwing their weight behind the Dublin-based accelerator programme.
Already up and running in New York, London and Hong Kong, the Fintech Innovation Lab offers startups the chance to participate in a 12 week programme designed to help them accelerate their product development and gain exposure to industry bigwigs.
Working with government agency Enterprise Ireland, Accenture is now inviting early stage and growth Irish tech firms working in areas like big data, mobility, payments, risk management, security and social media to apply for a spot on the Dublin programme.
Interested firms have until the end of the month to apply when 20 firms will be shortlisted before being cut down to 12. These will then make a pitch in November for one of six spots on the programme, which starts in January.
With AIB, Bank of Ireland, Citi, PayPal, Realex Payments, and Ulster Bank all backing the Lab, the six startups that make the cut will not only get office space in Dublin but also access to and feedback from leading execs in the FS and tech industry, securing mentorship and access to potential future customers.
Alastair Blair, Ireland country MD, Accenture, says: "The FinTech Innovation Lab Dublin offers an exciting opportunity for the technology and financial services communities and young Irish companies to collaborate and together contribute to the success of Ireland's digital economy."
Announcing the Asia Pacific programme in June, Accenture revealed that since launching in 2010 the New York Lab had seen its 18 alumni companies raise more than $76 million in venture financing; one participant was acquired for $175 million. The London arm - launched in 2012 - had seen participants raise $10 million.