The Best FinTech Startups from 14 Countries Selected. They Will Compete for Prizes Worth More Than 60,000 Euros. At Money Motion, 20 teams will present their innovative solutions on March 27th and 28th.
FinTech has experienced turbulent changes in recent years, but one thing is certain – innovation has never been more necessary. According to a KPMG report, investments in FinTech globally have fallen to $95.6 billion, the lowest level in the past seven years. Nevertheless, Europe remains a strong FinTech hub with more than 350 unicorns, and major companies like Revolut and Klarna are announcing public offerings, signaling a return of optimism.
Money Motion, the largest FinTech conference in the region, taking place on March 27 and 28 at the Zagreb Fair, is sponsored by leading regional industry brands – Mastercard, Monri, ASEE, OTP Bank, A1 Croatia, Croatia Insurance, and LAQO. The event will gather more than 2,000 participants from all continents and feature a hundred speakers on four stages. Leading global experts in finance, technology, and cryptocurrencies will share their knowledge and experiences, while the startup stage will host one of the most exciting competitions of the year – the Money Motion Startup Pitch.
Young entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to present their ideas before investors and partners ready to support the next big thing in FinTech. As many as 20 teams are bringing solutions that can shape the future of financial services – from the digital transformation of banking and data security to DeFisolutions and AI automation. The top three will share the most valuable prizes yet – checks totalling €10,000, $20,000 in credits on platform X provided by Aleph, a €5,000 small booth at the next Money Motion, a $20,000 ‘Talk the Walk’ award from Infobip, six months of free coworking space at the House of Blockchain in Zagreb, and an exclusive spot at the Fundraising Bootcamp in London worth €10,000.
We present the stories, visions, and innovations of the competitors below.
Neno Rakić from the HAMAG-BICRO agency on the Money Motion Startup stage last year
Small and medium-sized enterprises are the key to economic stability and growth in both Croatia and Europe. A1 Croatia has been aware of this for years, developing solutions for its business users to facilitate digitalization, optimization, and the development of new products and services in the digital age.
“We are aware that technology plays a key role in business optimization, increasing productivity, and ensuring a competitive advantage. Our goal is to be their reliable digital partner, providing them with advanced ICT solutions through an as-a-service model – from cloud services, security solutions, and data center services to business connectivity solutions,” said Daniel Šimić, Director of Business Customers at A1 Croatia.
Daniel Šimić, Chief Director for Business Customers, A1 Croatia
To enable entrepreneurs to operate smoothly, they continue to invest in developing a gigabit network and expanding 5G infrastructure. Their network already ensures top-tier connectivity across Croatia, and they have recently added Starlink to their portfolio, providing stable internet even in locations where there was previously no signal. This has been particularly helpful for business users in rural and remote areas – from agricultural holdings and tourist facilities to construction and transport companies.
“The SME segment has growing needs for flexible and secure digital services, and at A1 Croatia, we continuously develop innovative solutions to facilitate their daily business operations. Digital transformation is not a luxury, but a necessity, and our task is to provide small and medium-sized enterprises with the tools they need to grow and adapt to a dynamic market. With strong telecommunications infrastructure and tailored digital solutions, we continue to support the development of the SME segment and strengthen the local and regional economy,” added Šimić.
Josip Majher, Member of the Management Board of HPB
Hrvatska poštanska banka (HPB), one of the five largest commercial banks in the country, proudly supports the StartupStage, emphasizing the ambition for continuous progress and top results. In line with this, HPB, ZICER, and EFZG have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding initiating collaboration to develop the FinTech community in the country. This aims to encourage innovation in the financial sector, connect the academic community with financial institutions and entrepreneurs, and support the development of startups through the ZICER Acceleration Program – StartupFactory.
“As a key financial partner, HPB will provide startups with access to financial services and pilot projects and participate in FinTech regulation development with the Ministry of Finance. The Bank’s goal is to strengthen the FinTech industry and implement domestic FinTech solutions to improve business operations, positioning HPB as a desirable employer for IT professionals. HPB is dedicated to innovations that enhance financial services and the customer experience, reinforcing its role in FinTech development through digital transformation and community collaboration,” said Josip Majher, a member of HPB’s Management Board.
For the third consecutive year, the Money Motion StartupPitch competition will be supported by the Croatian Agency for SMEs, Innovations, and Investments (HAMAG-BICRO).
“As the most important government agency dedicated to creating a financial ecosystem that supports the development of small and medium-sized enterprises, we especially focus on entrepreneurs with ideas and innovations to facilitate their market entry. Entrepreneurs in the development phase of their services or products often lack access to financing, so HAMAG-BICRO offers targeted programs. Besides financing, HAMAG-BICRO provides expert mentoring and support to entrepreneurs, increasing their chances of successfully entering the market. We support conferences like Money Motion, especially the startup competition, which we have sponsored for the third consecutive year,” said VjeranVrbanec, President of the Management Board of HAMAG-BICRO.
Winners Will Be Chosen by an Expert Jury of Six Investors and Industry Professionals
The thrilling competition will take place on the first day of the conference on the Startup Stage, and the winners will be announced at the end of the second day before the final ceremony. You can purchase your ticket last-minute on the Entrio platform. Below, find out who will compete, from which countries, and with what solutions:
Source: https://www.cryptopolitan.com/selected-fintech-startups-from-14-countries-will-compete-for-prizes-worth-more-than-e60k-money-motion/