news - FinTech for Inclusion event: a platform for powering partnerships in the financial inclusion space

FMO was the proud host and organizer, together with our valued partners Accion Venture Lab and Quona Capital, of the Fintech for Inclusion CEO Forum & Summit that was held in The Hague from 21 - 23 June 2017. The CEO Forum convened 40 Fintech leaders who discussed the challenges and opportunities they see in emerging markets. At the summit over 80 Fintech start-ups, investors and funders, banking and financial institutions gained insights in market developments from leading actors who are advancing financial inclusion through innovative Fintech solutions across the world. A number of FMO bank clients from developing countries embraced the opportunity to learn more about what Fintech solutions can support their businesses and clients.

“FMO’s Chief Investment Officer Linda Broekhuizen stated: “The relationship between banks and technology companies is becoming increasingly collaborative. Our clients indicate that they want to adopt Fintech products and that they need to partner with Fintech companies to be able to do so. FMO can act as the connecting player between the world of technology companies and financial institutions. By organizing this Summit we aim to bring together our global network of banks, Fintechs, investors and accelerators to facilitate meaningful partnerships.”

“We're delighted to work with FMO and sponsor the Fintech for Inclusion CEO Forum and Summit.  By gathering more than 40 of the top CEOs focused on fintech for inclusion, FMO is helping to lead the way towards creating a financially inclusive world. Helping the financially excluded get the tools they need to improve their lives is important and urgent work,” said Accion President and CEO Michael Schlein.

“The Fintech for Inclusion CEO Forum and Summit built a culture of inquiry,” said Quona Capital Partner Monica Brand Engel. “It allowed CEOs and investors to have open, candid conversations with one another, build partnerships, and ask fundamental questions about how to create thriving businesses that accelerate innovation for financial inclusion.”

At the Summit, FMO celebrated the closing of several Fintech transactions with promising new clients. FMO will support African Fintech start-up Umati Capital Kenya via a convertible grant provided through its MASSIF fund, the financial inclusion fund FMO manages on behalf of the Dutch government. FMO also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide finance to NeoGrowth, a non-banking financial institution that focuses on underserved SMEs. Additionally, the SBI-FMO Emerging Asia Financial Sector Fund decided to invest in Innoviti, an Indian Fintech company that provides payment solutions and a SME lending platform.

For more information and an impression of the summit, please click here.

Group photo of Fintech CEO's attending the Fintech for Inclusion Forum

 
Celebrating signing FMO - Umati Capital Kenya at the Fintech for Inclusion Summit

  
FMO's CIO Linda Broekhuizen gives the keynote speech at the Fintech for Inclusion Summit

Photo credits: Nico Alsemgeest