Join the third batch of Wise Guys Fintech accelerator

October 2019 to February 2020
Apply Now

Why Fintech Accelerator?

After successfully completing first two Fintech focused accelerator programs in the Baltics, Europe’s leading B2B accelerator are gearing up already for the third Fintech focused accelerator program to be run from Vilnius, Lithuania.

We are looking for Fintech, PropTech, RegTech, Cybersecurity, Blockchain and InsurTech startups and can accommodate the needs of early stage teams and also more mature teams with MRR above 5K EUR. While idea and product of course is important, we are mostly looking for solid & passionate teams with global ambitions and power to execute!

At Startup Wise Guys, we’ve been accelerating startups since 2012, with already one major exit from our portfolio & overall startup survival rate of 77%. Having worked with 20 Fintechs already – well, we have what it takes to help Fintech startups GO BIG!

Applications are now closed for the autumn program, but you can apply to the waiting list.

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Pre product-market fit

30.000 € investment + program
(for up to 9% equity)

+ up to 40.000 € follow on
Company needs to register in Lithuania

For startups with:

  • MVP in place
  • up to 5K EUR MRR

 

Acceleration program:

  • 14 weeks on-site
  • Customer development -> Product development -> Sales traction -> Pitch training and Investor relations

Post product-market fit

50.000 € investment + program
(for up to 9% equity)

+ up to 60.000 € follow on
Company needs to register in Lithuania

For startups with:

  • more than 5K EUR MRR

 

Acceleration program:

  • 7 weeks on-site
  • Sales traction -> Pitch training and Investor relations

Benefits

Access to our follow up funding, investors, VC network, commercial partners, and alumni network of more than 400 founders
Dedicated Fintech mentors and tailored to the startup needs
Dedicated coaches for more than 12 focus areas
Support for registration and licensing (if required)
Ongoing portfolio support after acceleration
Free modern office space during the program
Yearly alumni gathering (SWG getaway)
Perks (AWS, Google, EIT Digital etc)

Notable startups from our portfolio

EstateGuru

Fintech, Other Verticals

Investly

Fintech

JetBeep

Fintech

PayQin

Fintech

Fully-Verified

Fintech

tarla.in

Enterprise Software, Fintech, Other Verticals

Kuan

Fintech

Consorto

Enterprise Software

Vartus

Other Verticals

Trapmine

Other Verticals

Accelerator Timeline

Wise Guys Fintech accelerator consists of a 3 month intensive mentoring program taking place at the co-working space in Vilnius. With mentors specialised in financial service industries, the program curriculum focuses on idea shaping and validation, business development, sales, Fintech regulation and fundraising. But don’t worry – our Geek Squad will keep your developers challenged and busy too!

Applications Open

May - August

Startups can apply online and catch the Wise Guys Fintech team for a chat, office hours and free mentoring at events. Follow our Facebook page for updates on upcoming events.

Selection Bootcamp - September

Our selection committee, consisting of investors, Fintech mentors, and Wise Guys Fintech team, will select up to 25 startups who will be invited for the 3 day Selection Bootcamp.
Program Starts for Pre product-market fit teams

October - November

Ten teams relocate to Vilnius in the middle of October. In first month of accelerator program startups are exposed to intensive speed mentoring, as well as hands-on workshops on business model, product-market fit, experiment design, and sales.

December

After getting the business model and sales in order, startups are exposed to special topic dedicated weeks such as Geek Week, Marketing Week & Investor Week right before Christmas break.
Program Starts for Post product-market fit teams

Investor exposure: January - February

Teams get broad exposure to Business Angels and VCs, with several opportunities to pitch at high profile regional startup events including Startup Day and TechChill.

February

Mentoring intensity trails off in the last month of the program to allow teams to finally “do the real work”. The program officially finishes in February.
Post-Program Support

After-care: February - May

Continued on-demand help will be provided from mentors and Wise Guys Fintech team.

Accelerating in Lithuania

Don’t let this small Baltic country fool you – named as “one of Europe’s Most Exciting Fintech Hotspots” by Forbes and taken strategic positioning as “preferred gateway to EU payment market”, it has a lot to offer for early stage startups, especially in the Fintech area. Besides, the startup ecosystem is friendly and buzzing with Fintech and tech events and having all important connections within a hands’ reach.
Lithuania is the only jurisdiction in the EU to have a special-purpose banking license, allowing the foundation of a bank with registered capital of just €1M EUR. Additionally, they’ve created a “newcomer banking licence package” for alternative tech banks, passed a P2P lending law to regulated the industry, and have announced the launch of a blockchain sandbox, set to go live in 2019.
Baltics overall rank on highest positions in terms of starting and ease of doing business. Just like in neighbouring Estonia and Latvia, also Lithuania has a special startup visa for non-EU founders. Although launched only in the middle of 2018, it has already opened doors for way above 300 applicants from outside the EU. For more perks on building a startup in Lithuania go to the Baltic Startup Scene Report.

Awesome Mentors

We have a deep network of 100+ mentors who are experts in their fields or founders of startups themselves. Here are some of our top Fintech mentors you will get the chance to meet and learn from at Wise Guys Fintech accelerator program.

Johan Lorenzen

Former CEO of Holvi (exited to BBVA)

Abhishek Balaria

CEO at Zentity

Jevgenijs Kazanins

Head of Daily Banking Products at LuminorGroup

Remco Veenenberg

Founder of Budapest AI and previously co-founded 2 digital health startups

And 150 more… Take a look

Team

Running an accelerator is a bit like running a sports camp! This is the kick-ass team that will keep you on track with KPIs, give constructive feedback and make your stay in Vilnius a life-changing experience!

Dmitrij Sosunov

Managing Director

Cristobal Alonso

CEO and batch energizer

Juan Alonso-Villalobos

Program Advisor

Andra Bagdonaitė

Program Manager

Jone Vaituleviciute

Entrepreneur in Residence

Farid Singh

Entrepreneur in Residence

And 10 more… Take a look

European Regional Development Fund

Invega

Applications closed

With more than 145 startup investments behind our back, including more than 20 Fintech and 9 Cybersecurity startups, and a solid team of serial entrepreneurs and passionate mentors – we for sure have what it takes to help you speed up your business and scale internationally! Even though applications are now closed, you can still apply to the waiting list for the next program and become part of #SWGMafia!
Apply Now