Introduction
Mastercard For Fintechs Program (the "Program") is an initiative aimed at fostering innovation and collaboration within the fintech ecosystem. By participating in the Program, you agree to comply with these terms and conditions.
Content
Program Eligibility
Participation in the Program is open to fintech companies operating in at least one of the following European countries: France, Italy, The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, and Portugal (hereafter “Participant”). Participants must meet the criteria specified by the organizer to be considered for selection.
Selection Process of the Participants for the competition
The organizer reserves the right to select Participants for the Program based on various criteria, including but not limited to:
- Live Solution and Activities: The Participant must have a live solution (already launched solution) currently operational in at least one of the following countries: France, Spain, Luxembourg, Portugal, The Netherlands, Belgium, or Italy.
- Funding Stage: Preference will be given to Participants that have raised funds, preferably at the pre-seed, seed or series A stage.
- Pre-Seed: The very first stage of funding, where founders use their personal or other resources to develop the initial concept or prototype (than EUR500,000).
- Seed: The next stage of financing, where start-ups raise funds to further develop their product, conduct market research and create initial traction (typically between EUR500,000 and EUR1,000,000).
- Series A: The first significant round of funding from venture capitalists, typically used to expand operations, broaden the team and accelerate market penetration (usually from over EUR1,000,000 to EUR10,000,000).
- Verticals: The Participant must operate in at least one of the following verticals:
- AI & Agentic Commerce: build trust and guardrails for AI agents that initiate and complete transactions.
- Digital Assets & Stablecoins: connect digital currencies to mainstream commerce through regulated payment rails.
- Instant & Cross Border Payments: scale real-time payment infrastructures for seamless global transactions.
- Embedded Finance 2.0: integrate financial services seamlessly into everyday products.
- SME Software & B2B Automation: empower mid-sized and small businesses with corporate-grade treasury tools.
- Digital Banking & Lending: refashion the banking industry through new technologies.
- Loyalty & Retail Tech: where payments, data and loyalty converge to power the future of retail.
- HR Tech & Employee Benefits: pioneer next-gen HR and employee engagement.
- The Future of Insurance: reinvent insurance with digital-first tools and automation.
Shortlisted Participants will be notified for further evaluation, which may include interviews, due diligence, and additional documentation.
Program Phases
The Program consists of the following phases:
- Phase 1 (October 1st 2026 - March 31st 2027): Access to Mastercard learning content: Participants will receive free access to exclusive Mastercard learning content and reports aimed at deepening their knowledge of the payments industry.
- Phase 2 (June - November 2026): Fintech Events: Participants will have the opportunity to attend a series of fintech events held across Europe. These events aim to facilitate networking, collaboration, and knowledge exchange among participants and key industry stakeholders.
- Phase 3 (June - November 2026): Fintech European Competition: Participants will be invited to compete in a top fintech European competition, where they will have the opportunity to showcase their innovations and potentially win prizes.
Term
The Program shall commence in April 2026 and shall end in March 2027.
Participant Obligations
Participants are expected to actively engage in all or some of the phases of the Program and to comply with any requirements or deadlines set by the organizer. Participants must also adhere to the specified by the organizer at all Program Phases, events and/or activities via the enrollment form available here.
Intellectual Property
Participants retain ownership of any intellectual property rights associated with their innovations or products. However, by participating in the Program, participants grant the organizer a non-exclusive license to use their company name, logo, and other relevant materials for promotional purposes related to the Program.
Confidentiality
Participants may be exposed to confidential information during the course of the Program. Participants agree to maintain the confidentiality of any such information and to use it solely for the purposes of the Program. Participants may be required to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). Participants acknowledge that the information will be submitted and shared through the Qualtrics platform.
Competition Law Compliance
The parties respect honest business competition among its participants. As such, Participants must comply with all applicable competition law rules in connection with the activities contemplated by this Program or in connection with any other business activities involving organizer. The Participants commit not to enter into any discussion, activity or conduct that may infringe any applicable competition law rules. For example, competitors shall not directly or indirectly discuss, communicate or exchange any commercially sensitive competitive information, including non-public information relating to commercial strategy, pricing, costs and revenues. Any attempt to violate antitrust and competition laws may result in the removal from the Program.
Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption
The parties recognize that Participants and any person or entity acting on its behalf must comply with international laws related to anti-bribery and corruption including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the UK Bribery Act, and other applicable law. Participant shall comply and shall ensure that each of its subcontractors (if so approved or permitted) and personnel complies, with all applicable anti-bribery and corruption laws applicable to business dealings, including with government officials (as defined below) and any implementing regulations in respect of any such laws. Participants warrants, represents and covenants to organizer that participant (and each of its employees, subcontractors and personnel) has not and shall not, in connection with the activities contemplated by this Program or in connection with any other business activities involving organizer, make, promise or offer to make any payment or transfer of anything of value or any other advantage directly or indirectly through a representative, intermediary agent or otherwise : (i) to any government official; (ii) to any political party; or (iii) to any other person for the purpose of improperly influencing any act, omission to act or decision of such official, political party or individual or securing an improper advantage to assist the parties in obtaining or retaining business. Participant also warrants, represents and covenants to organizer that participant and each of its employees, subcontractors and personnel shall not, in connection with any business activities involving organizer, accept anything of value from any third party seeking to influence any act or decision of participant or in order to secure an improper advantage to that third party. “Government official” is defined as any employee or officer of a government of a country, state or region, including any federal, regional or local government or department, agency, enterprise owned or controlled by the such government, any official of a political party, any official or employee of a public international organization, any person acting in an official capacity for, or on behalf of, such entities, and any candidate for political office.
Limitation of Liability
The organizer shall not be liable for any loss or damage arising from participation in the Program, including but not limited to loss of profits, business interruption, or any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages.
Termination
The organizer reserves the right to terminate or modify the Program at any time, with or without cause and without prior notice. In the event of termination, participants will be notified, and any obligations or commitments under the Program will cease.
Governing Law
These terms and conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Belgium. Any disputes arising out of or in connection with the Program shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Brussels.
Amendments
The organizer reserves the right to amend or update these terms and conditions at any time. Participants will be notified of any changes, and continued participation in the Program will constitute acceptance of the amended terms and conditions.
By participating in the Mastercard For Fintechs Program, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by these terms and conditions.
