Conio, the scaleup partly owned by Poste Italiane and Banca Generali that launched the first wallet for Bitcoin and digital asset custody in Italy, has been selected among the six Italian fintech companies for the Visa Innovation Program Europe 2023.
The program aims to promote innovation in the financial and payment sectors by fostering collaboration and accelerating innovative companies in Europe.
Since its launch in 2018, the Visa Innovation Program, active in Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Turkey, Spain, Italy, and Portugal, has received applications from over 1,000 fintech companies from more than 50 countries, with nearly 300 applications received for this edition alone.
In the case of Italy, where the growth platform for fintech will be supported by Hackquarters and Talent Garden, Conio has demonstrated the skills and business models with the potential for international scalability. This allowed Conio to be selected among the 111 Italian applications received this year, along with five other companies - CashDirector, Fairtile, INEO, Step 4 Business, VOICEME.
Visa has a strong track record of collaborating with fintech companies and provides them with access to its global partner network every year, offering the visibility and capabilities necessary for their business development. The Visa Innovation Program not only provides practical support through tools, data, and technological infrastructure but also offers the opportunity to share knowledge and expand business opportunities with new customers.
"Our goal is to become a European leader in the management and custody of digital assets, starting from the position we have already built in the Italian market, where we are the most reliable partner for both retail customers and financial institutions, thanks to our high-security standards and custody technology. We are proud to be part of such a prestigious and internationally relevant program. I am confident that the Visa Innovation Program will be an effective means for Conio to drive new projects and expand its horizons," says Orlando Merone, General Manager of Conio.