In the past few years, we’ve had the pleasure of not only interacting but awarding the best fintech start-ups that made their mark in the industry. Two such examples are Synapze and Filmchain, both celebrated for challenging traditional banking systems and redefining the ways in which financial transactions and services are made.

Today, we’ve had the pleasure of catching up with them and discussing how they approach fintech innovation, exploring their strategies, challenges, and the insights they have gained along the way.

The Growth of a Fintech Startup 

Modern finance can be tough. In this landscape, it’s up to each startup to successfully use regional resources and build strong local networks to grow. Both FilmChain and Synapze had their own way of doing this—effectively leveraging these regional assets to expand their operations and refine their offers.

FilmChain: Facilitating Real-Time Royalty Payments

FilmChain’s approach to growth involves tapping into a variety of global markets, each with its distinct regional resources. Co-founder Maria Tanjala explains their mission: 

Concerned with the slow and opaque settlements in film, TV and games, we built FilmChain to pay participants their royalties in real-time. 

Maria Tanjala

This solution addresses the massive inefficiency in a lucrative industry where a significant portion of revenues can go missing due to outdated practices. 

Access to immediate cash flow is a huge problem in the £280B industry, where up to 30% of revenues go missing. The opacity is provoking big shifts in legislation in Europe, after the European Commission assessed that such a lucrative sector is bleeding money lost to human error and poor accounting practices. We have 1,900 clients that we pay entitlements to in near real-time.

Maria Tanjala

This is, of course, amazing, especially with the company’s strategy extending across continents:

The productions are set up in a variety of geographies: 42% are in the UK, 9% in Australia, 7% in the US, and the rest are in Europe. But we also have productions in Asia and Latin America.

Maria Tanjala

Maria highlights FilmChain’s global outreach which leverages local market conditions and regulations to optimize their service delivery.

Synapze: Streamlining Financial Services through AI

On the other side, Synapze has created a niche for itself by aligning its artificial intelligence solutions with the conservative nature of the financial sector. Their approach emphasizes gradual integration over disruptive innovation, a strategy that resonates deeply with most local traditional banks and regulatory frameworks. The founder of Synapze, Rohit Bhosale, states:

Most people think that AI is going to be a revolution… out with the old and let’s do something brand new. But none of the banks in this world are going to do that. Just not going to happen.

This realization has led them to focus on incremental improvements that customers are more likely to accept. Instead of advocating for a complete overhaul of existing systems, Synapze proposes what they call an ‘AI evolution.’ This approach targets specific inefficiencies within the process, enhancing them with AI to achieve measurable gains without disrupting the core operations. 

Can I keep my process that I have and maybe find some really weak points in my process which are consuming time, resources, energy, and improve that portion so that I can get maybe 5%, 10% incremental efficiency gain? And if that works or doesn’t work, I can still go to the manual process. If it works, I’m happy. Then maybe let’s try the next one. And then maybe try the next one

Rohit Bhosale

Synapze’s careful and considered approach to integrating AI within the industry illustrates a key strategy in fintech development: understanding and respecting the pace and comfort levels of traditional financial institutions.

Discussions With Financial Investors

Succeeding in this industry requires more than just innovative technology. You need strong relationships with investors who are committed to the sector’s growth. FilmChain’s approach to investment emphasizes the importance of strategic partnerships and the acquisition of ‘smart capital.’ The company focuses on investors who bring more than just funds to the table—looking for those who can provide valuable industry insights, mentorship, and connections. 

Like any founder, it is imperative that we find investors who bring smart capital, not just a wire transfer. We sit at the intersection of fintech, blockchain, and entertainment, so we touch upon some great industries where we are looking for mentors and networking.

Maria Tanjala

Their investors come from diverse backgrounds, including fintech space experts who help navigate banking challenges, successful entrepreneurs who provide lessons from their own experiences, and industry insiders from film, TV, and games who facilitate high-end introductions and market openings. This eclectic mix allows FilmChain to strategically position itself at the nexus of technology and creative industries with a business model that aligns both artistic and financial ecosystems.

For Synapze, engagement with investors is closely tied to its strategy of incremental innovation. Rather than seeking out massive funding rounds typical of many tech startups, they look for investors who understand the nuances of AI integration within the heavily regulated banking sector. 

In terms of engaging with investors, we prioritize those who are not just looking for a quick turnover but are genuinely interested in the evolutionary path we are charting in the fintech ecosystem

Rohit Bhosale

The company values investors who appreciate the slow yet steady progress typical of innovations within traditional industries. Their focus is on investors who can support a gradual process of development and integration, mirroring their approach to product implementation.

On stage at UNCHAIN Festival 

In any industry, it’s important to have a platform where you can meet your peers, exchange ideas, and come up with the next big thing. UNCHAIN is where fintech is at home. For both Filmchain and Synapze, UNCHAIN was the platform to connect with the community.

Maria highlights the significance of such events:

It is a fine balance between building brand awareness and visibility and focusing on the business. The roadshow of presentations and festivals can be consuming, so selecting the best stages to speak on is very important in a founder’s work.

FilmChain’s participation in events like UNCHAIN has led to multiple awards, including Startup of the Year at the London Business Awards and Best Investment at the UKBAA, which have further solidified their reputation in the fintech space.

The benefits derived from their participation in the UNCHAIN Festival are just as memorable:

We were honoured to be the winners of the first edition, and I believe that UNCHAIN had an incredible energy. Everyone was attending the festival in Oradea for the first time and felt the responsibility of shaping something outstanding, building the DNA of the festival

Maria Tanjala

Rohit’s viewpoint on visibility and opportunity at UNCHAIN is similar:

Getting your message out is very important, right? It’s not just the marketing and the LinkedIn and all that, but I think standing on stage showing a demo and speaking about it is super, super valuable.

This visibility is particularly crucial for early-stage startups that might otherwise struggle to stand out. The focused nature of the event allows participants to engage more meaningfully with potential partners and clients, facilitating deeper connections.

So I think what I love about Unchain is it’s not a 4,000 to 40,000 people event. It’s a very curated event of very important people from the industry and investors from the industry who are interested in this vertical.

Rohit Bhosale

Some great investment conversations came out from my time in Oradea, and fintech explorations with the likes of Visa. Such ecosystems in CEE are hugely needed. 

Maria Tanjala

As we reflect on the journeys of innovative fintech startups like Synapze and FilmChain, it’s time to turn our attention to the upcoming edition of the UNCHAIN Festival in Oradea. This year’s festival promises to continue its tradition of highlighting fintech solutions by hosting the highly anticipated Fintech Startups Tournament. 

The Startup Tournament offers a unique platform for early-stage startups to showcase their projects, with opportunities to gain recognition, support, and investment from a global audience. For more information about the Startups Tournament and to register for the UNCHAIN Festival, please visit the official event website.

One important pillar of this movement is Make IT in Oradea. This project shows how public support and private know-how can come together in a way that works. It’s an initiative that goes beyond funding into creating a platform where new ideas find real opportunities. We’ve had the pleasure of talking to the people behind Make IT in Oradea and discussing some aspects that make Oradea the next place to start a new business venture.

The Role of The Public Sector

Oradea’s rise didn’t happen in a vacuum. For a while, it happened behind the efforts of the local government, which has carefully laid down the infrastructure needed for tech companies to grow.

The creation of Make IT in Oradea is a prime example of the public and private sectors working hand in hand. It began with open conversations between city officials and local entrepreneurs aimed at pinpointing exactly what the ecosystem needed.

Recognizing the need to accelerate the development of the local innovation startup ecosystem, the public sector initiated an open dialog with the local private stakeholders and entrepreneurs to better understand the needs of the local startup ecosystem. The results of the discussions were a unique joint initiative.

David Achim, Executive Director, Make IT in Oradea

This type of collaboration was exactly what an initiative like Make IT in Oradea needed. It wasn’t about creating a simple platform that helped startups get off the ground. For the founders, it was always about ensuring they had everything they needed to succeed –  from the right mentorship to key networking opportunities. 

And with the continued effort by the public sector to unite vision and expertise under one roof, projects like Make IT in Oradea, are set to transform the city into a place where startups don’t just launch but can actually make regional impacts.

Make IT in Oradea: Building the “Smart” Infrastructure of the City

For the locals, Make IT in Oradea it’s the initiative that gets down to business by directly addressing what startups actually need to grow and succeed. At the core of the project is the Bright Labs Incubator, which sets itself apart from your average startup support program by providing more than a “one-size-fits-all” solution.

Contrary to traditional startup programs that often provide only surface-level support and tend to adopt a generic approach & frameworks, Bright Labs is designed to offer a uniquely tailored, holistic, intensive, and deeply integrated experience to nurture founders at every stage of their journey.

David Achim, Executive Director, Make IT in Oradea

The Incubator gives each founder exactly what they need to take their startup from an idea to a fully operational business. What’s on the table if you’re a potential founder? Well, you can expect personal mentoring, hands-on support from seasoned pros, in-depth training sessions that actually teach something useful, and connections that open real doors. 

Not to mention that if you need funds, they’ve got up to €50k in equity funding, plus a cool co-working space in Oradea Fortress to hash out your ideas and mix with other founders. And yes, they’ll even help cover your living expenses while you’re building your dream.

Bright Labs Incubator is not the perfect program…we don’t believe in perfect…but it is the most life-changing experience you’ll get as an early-stage founder, at least in CEE…maybe even in Europe!

David Achim, Executive Director, Make IT in Oradea

Local Innovation With a Global Impact

The excitement behind Oradea’s ecosystem can be measured by its success stories. The city can proudly showcase a portfolio of ventures that have gone big and global. Creatopy is such an example. A homegrown company in the creative design software market that snagged an amazing $10 million in Series A funding last autumn. It’s one of many votes of confidence in Oradea’s ability to grow top-tier startups that catch the eye of big-time investors.

Then there’s Appointfix, now rebranded as Goldie – a successful exit within the ecosystem, having been bought out by Universe Software, a SaaS holding company. Another big name is TypingDNA, a cybersecurity company that raised $7 million from Gradient Ventures for its typing biometrics technology.

But it’s not just about the big players. Make IT in Oradea is also nurturing rising stars like Pineapple Square, which landed a spot in Draper University’s prestigious program, and Expert24, which is changing how professionals connect with clients through its services marketplace. 

These stories are just the beginning. With over 70 startups pumped through the Bright Labs Incubator and a financial injection of €215,000 in investments plus €120,000 in grants, Oradea is on the fast track to becoming a hotspot for startups that not only start up but stay up and scale up.

Fintech in Focus

The fintech sector is also rising, supported by initiatives like Make IT in Oradea and events like the UNCHAIN Festival. Fintech is slowly putting Oradea on the map – big time.  

Supporting the UNCHAIN Festival was a strategic decision for Make IT in Oradea, aimed at leveraging the festival’s platform to draw significant international attention to our ecosystem. 

David Achim, Executive Director, Make IT in Oradea

The big deal with events like UNCHAIN is that they throw Oradea’s startups into the ring with global players and opportunities.

The international impact of the UNCHAIN Festival is substantial. By concentrating on the fintech industry, the festival has succeeded in attracting world-renowned experts, investors, startups, and other pivotal stakeholders. Such an event underscores the potential of Oradea’s startups to engage with global trends, challenges, and opportunities within the fintech sector.

David Achim, Executive Director, Make IT in Oradea

Speaking of fintechs, there are some who have something to say in the context of a conference like UNCHAIN. One such example is Prime Dash, a standout story in Oradea’s fintech ecosystem for its rapid adoption and ability to scale internationally. 

This Romanian-British startup is putting CFO-level insights into the pockets of business owners everywhere. Simple, smart, and savvy. This way, Prime Dash has transformed complex financial management into a tap-and-go solution.

Although Oradea is not a traditional center for the fintech industry, the city offers certain advantages. One of the most valuable aspects is access to talented programmers, essential for developing solid and internationally competitive products. […] We are also pleased with the attention that the UNCHAIN Festival brings specifically to the fintech space, putting Oradea on the fintech map and allowing us to connect with other innovators and industry leaders.

Ioana Rus, chairwoman of the board, Prime Dash

A Startup Destination of the Future

As Oradea’s startup ecosystem matures, the vision for its future is ambitious. Make IT in Oradea is setting its sights on making the city a top destination for startup founders not just in Romania but across Central Eastern Europe. Their commitment is built on a strong belief in local innovation and collaboration.

The message we champion is clear: the pathway to building a successful startup does not necessitate leaving Central Eastern Europe for Western countries. We fervently believe, and indeed, we must believe, that we can cultivate groundbreaking startups right here, in our home.

David Achim, Executive Director, Make IT in Orade

The team at Make IT in Oradea sees a different path for local talent — one that doesn’t require heading to Western Europe or Silicon Valley to make it big, and rightfully so. 

Building on the vision laid out by Make IT in Oradea, Bright Labs Incubator is a way to retain talent and attract international founders. It’s a great opportunity to nurture those who possess immense passion and see a clear market opportunity yet may lack a fully formed product or specific idea. If this fits into your story, applications for the Incubator are still open for the 2024th cohort!

Bright Labs is designed to not only attract these burgeoning talents but also to equip them with the crucial tools and knowledge needed to thrive within the competitive landscape of Central and Eastern Europe. By joining Bright Labs, entrepreneurs will immerse themselves in an environment that champions local innovation through comprehensive support, expert mentorship, and peer collaboration. This initiative underscores our commitment to revolutionizing the startup scene right here in Oradea, making it unnecessary for local talent to seek opportunities elsewhere.

David Achim, Executive Director, Make IT in Oradea

Alongside other startups, they plan to keep building up the city’s infrastructure and support systems to better nurture new businesses, drawing both local and international entrepreneurs and investors looking to tap into what Oradea has to offer. 

The geographical proximity to Western Europe, an openness to innovation, and local initiatives that promote entrepreneurship, especially in tech (such as Make IT in Oradea), are important factors. […] We are also pleased with the attention that the Unchain Festival brings specifically to the fintech space, putting Oradea on the fintech map and allowing us to connect with other innovators and industry leaders.

Ioana Rus, board member Prime Dash

The city aims to show the world that innovation and global success can grow out of Central Eastern Europe, showcasing the strength, potential, and dynamism of its startup ecosystem on the world stage.

Finqware is a leader in providing automation solutions for financial operations, specializing in the TMA (Treasury Management Automation) category. Its platform, based on open banking technology, FinqTreasury, is already successfully implemented in medium and large companies, facilitating efficient treasury management, centralizing bank payments, and automating the reconciliation of receipts.

FwF, a company member of the Arobs Transilvania Software group, represents a collective of approximately 100 specialists dedicated to optimizing and automating business processes. With strategic offices in Romania, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Benelux, the group stands out through prestigious partnerships with globally renowned technology companies such as UiPath, Microsoft, Outsystems, and Celonis. Arobs Transilvania Software is the largest technology company listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange.

This strategic partnership reflects our shared commitment to providing European companies with innovative and adaptable solutions for automating financial operations at the intersection of RPA technology with emerging technologies, which complement technological capabilities for the benefit of streamlining our clients’ processes

Marius Bene, CEO of FutureWorkForce

We are confident that combining our expertise will bring significant benefits to European companies looking to implement cutting-edge technological solutions, such as the combination of RPA and open banking, to streamline their financial processes.

Cosmin Cosma, CEO of Finqware

This collaboration between Finqware and FwF represents an important step in the evolution of financial automation and is intended to provide European companies with the necessary tools to meet increasingly complex market demands.

For more information about Finqware and FwF, we invite you to visit www.finqware.com  and www.fwfcompany.com.

Lending with No-Code Solutions

inGain’s platform empowers companies to offer tailored lending solutions without the need for extensive coding knowledge, revolutionizing how businesses integrate financing into their product offerings. This capability is crucial for companies that see traditional banking solutions as inadequate for their specific lending needs. Armands Liseks, co-founder and CEO of inGain, illustrates this point with a practical example: 

Consider a store chain in Switzerland that sells expensive musical instruments. They want to offer piano leasing because buying one outright is a significant commitment. Traditional banking solutions, like suggesting a credit card or a high-interest consumer loan, do not meet such specific needs effectively.

Approach Fit For Market Needs

The inGain no-code platform is designed to be highly flexible, allowing companies to create and manage lending solutions tailored to their products and customer needs. This approach addresses a significant gap in the market, where existing financial solutions fail to offer the necessary customization or are too complex for practical use.

Reima Linnanvirta, a partner at Trind VC, praised the inGain team’s deep industry knowledge and their innovative approach: 

The inGain team has transformed a process that typically requires custom development into a user-friendly no-code SaaS solution. Given the outdated nature of existing market solutions, inGain is well-positioned to disrupt and capture a significant market share.

The funds from this investment round will be directed towards completing the development of inGain’s self-service platform. This platform will allow any interested company to independently create a lending tool that best fits their specific product needs and customer base.

Our goal is to democratize the lending process, making it accessible, customizable, and efficient for businesses of all sizes across various sectors.

Armands Liseks, co-founder and CEO of inGain

The Prestigious CEE Fintech Oscars: Recognizing Excellence in Innovation

The Startups Tournament, a key component of UNCHAIN Festival, is designed to spotlight the most promising tech startups. Founders across the CEE are invited to showcase their projects and vie for recognition, support, and investment in an atmosphere buzzing with creativity and collaboration.

“As a global centre of tech development and a hub for innovation, UNCHAIN Festival is the perfect platform for startups to showcase their innovative solutions and connect with industry leaders, investors, and enthusiasts,” said Alexandra Pollack, CEO & Co-founder of UNCHAIN Festival. “We’re excited to provide startups with an opportunity to shine on stage and accelerate their growth in this dynamic ecosystem.“

The Startups Tournament invites early-stage startups with tech solutions that demonstrate significant potential for impact and scalability. Selected finalists will have the chance to pitch their projects live to a distinguished panel of judges comprising industry experts, investors, and thought leaders.

In addition to exposure and networking opportunities, participants will compete for a range of prizes, including, mentorship from industry veterans, access to investor networks, and complimentary exhibition space at future UNCHAIN events.

Welcoming back the winners of previous editions

“We were honoured to be the winners of the first edition, and I believe that UNCHAIN had an incredible energy. Everyone was attending the festival in Oradea for the first time and felt the responsibility of shaping something outstanding, building the DNA of the festival. Some great investment conversations came out from my time in Oradea, and fintech explorations with the likes of Visa. Such ecosystems in CEE are hugely needed.”, Maria Tanjala, FilmChain Co-founder, the winner of the 1st UNCHAIN Startups Tournament. 

“By being on stage a lot of investors and banks come to talk to us. We had great conversations and that was extremely valuable. We’ve learnt a lot, which added a lot of value to who we are and how we’ve grown. What I love about UNCHAIN it’s that it is not a 4000 people event, it’s a very curated event of very important people from the industry. It’s almost like a handpicked selection on who is who in the region for the fintech vertical and you don’t have many events like this which create that impact.”, Rohit Bhosale, Synapze CEO`s, the winner of 2nd UNCHAIN Startups Tournament. 

Application Deadline: May 31st – Don’t Miss Out!

Entrepreneurs eager to participate in the competition are encouraged to submit their applications online through the official UNCHAIN Festival website >> https://unchainfestival.com/startups/. Registrations are available until May 31st, but act swiftly, as applications are reviewed and chosen following each submission.

UNCHAIN Festival, renowned for its engaging panels, insightful keynotes, and vibrant networking opportunities, will take place on 19-20 June 2024 at Oradea’s fortress, Romania. For more information about the Startups Tournament and UNCHAIN Festival, including ticketing and sponsorship opportunities, visit the event website >> www.unchainfestival.com

UNCHAIN on CEE tour: explore innovation across the region

Preceding the summer festival, a series of online events, the Demo Days, will bring an even closer spotlight on the disrupting potential the region has to uncover. 

• UNCHAIN Demo Day – Romania | Bulgaria | Greece | Ukraine | Moldova 
• UNCHAIN Demo Day – Hungary | Croatia | Serbia | Slovenia 
• UNCHAIN Demo Day – Austria | Czech Republic | Slovakia | Poland

The Demo Days will serve as a precursor to the main event, offering a platform for startups and innovators to showcase their groundbreaking ideas and technologies to a global audience. Through engaging presentations, live demonstrations, and interactive Q&A sessions, participants will have the opportunity to highlight the transformative impact of their projects and gain valuable feedback from industry experts and potential investors. 

With the help of Gapminder Ventures, Underline Ventures, and a team of angel investors, Genezio is set to change the traditional app development process by introducing automation and efficiency like never before.

A Fresh Take on App Development

At the core of Genezio’s vision is a platform designed to streamline coding and deployment, reducing the barriers developers face daily.

Genezio’s mission is to remove the complexities often associated with running code, offering a platform where developers can directly deploy their work. 

Developers want complexity removed from running the code. They want to take the code and just ‘genezio-deploy’ it.

Genezio team

Leadership with a Track Record

Andrei Pitis, CEO and somebody known for his previous ventures in VectorWatch and Fitbit, leads the team alongside other seasoned tech experts. Together, they believe in leveraging tools like Copilot and ChatGPT to change the way programmers write code.

Genezio’s serverless platform stands out by offering a type-safe environment, which ensures that the generated code is not only quick to deploy but also secure. 

Early users of the platform in its beta phase have reported significant reductions in the time to market, highlighting Genezio’s potential to transform app development efficiency. 

With ambitions to expand its user base and enterprise sales, Genezio is investing in marketing and partner training – with hopes to make a notable impact in English-speaking markets and beyond.

Designed from the ground up to be future-proof, Genezio will save precious time for the millions of AI-enabled developers of the future.

CEO Andrei Pitis

Salt Bank’s launch was driven by more than a year of development work, signaling a significant advancement in banking technology. 

Yes, we represent a leap in technology, a leap in banking. But, we want to remain modest, grounded. We bring the first neobank made 100% in Romania

Gabriela Nistor, CEO of Salt Bank, during the launch conference

Salt Bank has grown to 200 employees, with projections to reach 300 by the end of 2024. The bank has chosen Engine by Starling as its technology partner and SaaS Cloud banking platform provider, leveraging a system that serves over 3.6 million customers in the UK through Starling Bank.

Salt Bank Rolls Out to Eager Customers

Salt Bank, under the slogan “Banking, but as you wish,” initially targets individual customers, with plans to expand its services to authorized individuals and possibly micro-companies. The bank’s strategy involves an investment package ranging between 80-100 million euros, aiming to reach 1 million customers within three years.

CEO Gabriela Nistor has shared that the app is initially open to those who pre-registered and referred friends, with a wider release planned shortly. However, early users shouldn’t expect a fully completed app but a minimum viable product offering essential banking features such as current accounts, cards, and savings options. An investment section is also introduced, initially for viewing only, with sales functionalities to follow.

Salt Bank is set to expand its offerings, especially in investment services. 

Clients will not see a complete final app; they will see a minimum viable product. They will have a current account, a card, and the ability to save money. There is also a section dedicated to investment in fund units, initially just for viewing. We will then open the selling part. We intend to develop a lot on that side too.

Gabriela Nistor, CEO

Digital Payments Revolution

The CEE region is experiencing a surge in digital payments adoption, driven by factors such as increasing smartphone penetration, changing consumer behavior, and supportive regulatory frameworks. Expect to see continued growth in digital payment solutions, including mobile wallets, contactless payments, and peer-to-peer transfers. With a focus on convenience, security, and efficiency, FinTech companies will play a crucial role in driving this digital payments revolution across the region.

Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Innovation

Blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies are gaining traction in the CEE region, presenting new opportunities and challenges for the FinTech industry. As more businesses and consumers embrace digital assets, expect to see increased innovation in blockchain-based solutions, such as smart contracts, decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms, and digital identity management systems. Additionally, regulatory developments and government initiatives aimed at fostering blockchain innovation will shape the landscape for cryptocurrency adoption and usage across CEE countries.

Rise of Neobanks and Digital Lenders

Neobanks and digital lending platforms are disrupting the traditional banking sector in CEE, offering innovative financial products and services tailored to the needs of modern consumers and businesses. Over the next two years, expect to see the continued emergence of digital-first banking solutions, including virtual banking accounts, personalized lending algorithms, and automated loan approvals. With a focus on accessibility, affordability, and customer experience, neobanks and digital lenders will continue to gain market share and drive competition in the financial services industry.

Regulatory Evolution and Compliance Focus

Regulatory frameworks governing the FinTech sector in CEE are expected to evolve in response to technological advancements and emerging risks. Regulatory bodies across the region will likely introduce new guidelines and standards aimed at promoting innovation while ensuring consumer protection, cybersecurity, and financial stability. FinTech companies will need to prioritize regulatory compliance and invest in robust risk management and cybersecurity measures to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape and build trust with customers and stakeholders.

Cross-Border Collaboration and Expansion

Collaboration and partnerships between FinTech companies, traditional financial institutions, and other stakeholders will become increasingly important for driving innovation and expanding market reach across borders. Over the next two years, expect to see more cross-border collaborations, joint ventures, and strategic alliances aimed at leveraging complementary strengths and resources to address regional challenges and capitalize on growth opportunities. Additionally, as CEE FinTech companies look to scale their operations and enter new markets, strategic international expansion will be a key focus area, driving greater competition and diversity in the global FinTech ecosystem.

As a conclusion, the Central and Eastern European FinTech sector is poised for dynamic growth and innovation over the next two years, driven by digital payments revolution, blockchain and cryptocurrency innovation, rise of neobanks and digital lenders, regulatory evolution and compliance focus, and cross-border collaboration and expansion. By staying agile, responsive to market trends, and focused on customer needs, FinTech companies in CEE can capitalize on emerging opportunities and play a leading role in shaping the future of finance in the region and beyond.