Mastercard launches the third edition of "Mastercard For Fintechs", reinforcing its commitment to Europe’s fintech ecosystem

Mastercard announces today the launch of the third edition of Mastercard For Fintechs 2026, the flagship program designed to support the growth of fintech companies across Belgium, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain and Portugal.

For the third consecutive year, the initiative aims to guide high‑potential fintechs along a structured growth path, providing access to Mastercard’s expertise, strategic connections, and operational resources to strengthen their market positioning and scalability.

Building on the strong results of the previous edition - over 100 European startups engaged, more than 20 fintechs competing, and Cense proclaimed winner  - Mastercard is renewing the program to further support the sustainable development of fintech innovation across Europe. By leveraging its international network, technological capabilities, and industry know‑how, Mastercard continues to play an active role in fostering a resilient and competitive fintech ecosystem.

The winning startup of the final competition will receive €100,000 in marketing support, along with preferential access to Mastercard’s 'Start Path' program and personalized mentoring with Mastercard specialists and fintech partners designed to support international expansion.

“At Mastercard, fostering a culture of mutual growth and innovation is at the core of what we do every day. Recognizing the pivotal role that fintechs play in reshaping the financial sector, we are committed to providing them with the essential resources and tools they need to thrive,” said Paloma Real, Division President, Western Europe, Mastercard. “Building on the momentum of the past two successful years—and with robust participation from companies across Western Europe and beyond, spanning diverse areas of expertise—we are proud to renew this initiative for the third consecutive year. This underscores our ongoing dedication to supporting fintechs as they pave the way for a more connected and innovative financial ecosystem. We eagerly anticipate welcoming a new cohort of exceptional entrepreneurs and innovators in this latest edition.”

The Mastercard For Fintechs program offers participants exclusive access to Mastercard Academy learnings session with specialized content s, and previously unpublished materials, as well as the opportunity to participate in fintech events organized across multiple European Countries bringing together startups, investors, incubators, accelerators, and leading stakeholders. The program also includes masterclasses, thematic in-depth sessions, and numerous networking opportunities, designed to foster new collaborations and accelerate the technological and commercial growth of the fintechs involved.

The start-up competition is open to pre-seed, seed, or Series A fintechs, with solutions already operational in at least one of the following markets - Italy, France, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands - and operating in one of these areas: Artificial Intelligence and Business Agent, Digital Assets and Stablecoins, Instant and Cross-Border Payments, Embedded Finance 2.0, SME Software and B2B Automation, Digital Banking & Lending, Loyalty Programs and Tech Retail, HR Technology Solutions and Employee Benefits, Insurance Innovation.

Following an initial selection phase, admitted fintechs will compete in local events - held between June and September - in the participating European Countries. The winners of each local competition will advance to the final event in Italy at the end of the year, where they will present their projects to a jury composed of Mastercard representatives and external partners, followed by a Q&A session. Applications will be evaluated based on criteria such as team experience, level of project innovation, financial strength and long-term sustainability, business model scalability, and strategic synergy with Mastercard.

Through Mastercard For Fintechs, the company reaffirms its commitment to technological innovation in entrepreneurship, supporting the next generation of fintech leaders through knowledge sharing, collaboration, and access to global opportunities. The initiative is part of Mastercard’s broader open innovation framework, alongside global startup programs such as Start Path, Lighthouse, and Fintech Express.

For more details, you can visit the following link: Mastercard For Fintechs | Mastercard Europe