Eight Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) network banks (Albania, Belarus, Bulgaria, Kosovo, Romania, Russia, Serbia, and Slovakia) target innovative FinTech solutions in their regional markets. The respective winners will participate in workshops in Vienna, Austria, and receive a wildcard to enter the semi-final of the group-wide Elevator Lab Program.
Applications are already open for most of the regional Elevator Lab Challenges. Startups now have time to apply with ideas and solutions from the fields of Advanced Analytics, Corporate Banking, Investing & TradingTech, New Branch Experience, Open Banking, and RegTech. For an overview of the respective local application phases please visit http://www.elevator-lab.com/elevator-lab-challenges/.
Giving Startups The Opportunity To Compete On An International Stage
„For almost 30 years, RBI has been successful in the CEE region. Therefore, we know how much economic and creative potential this diverse and dynamic region has to offer. With these local challenges we want to specifically support the startup ecosystems in the region and give young companies the opportunity to compete on an international stage with FinTechs from all over the world“, says Johann Strobl, CEO of RBI, about the motives behind the new format of the FinTech accelerator program.
Elevator Lab, the group-wide program that launched in 2017, already has supported innovative startups in developing their prototypes within just a few months – currently testing or implementing them. The first round of the virtual accelerator program proved that the cooperation between startups and RBI benefits both sides. Another important factor, for startups participating in the program, is that RBI regards their startup partners on an equal level and deliberately foregoes equity participation in this phase. Instead, the common goal is to respond even better to the needs of RBI’s 16.5 million customers and to tap new sources of income through the use of new technologies and innovative products.
Elevator Lab Regional Challenges In 8 Countries
In addition to a startup workshop at a visit to the Elevator Lab in Vienna, the respective winners will also receive a wildcard for the semi-final of the group-wide Elevator Lab and the chance to be invited to Vienna for the final of the TOP 15 in September 2018. Solutions in the categories of Advanced Analytics, Corporate Banking, Investing & TradingTech, New Branch Experience, Open Banking and RegTech can be submitted to the program. To apply, please consider the respective deadlines and websites:
- Belarus: Application open until 13 May
- Albania: Application open until 23 May
- Kosovo: Application open until 25 May
- Slovakia: Application open until 31 May
- Serbia: Application open from 16 May to 10 June
- Bulgaria: Application open until 17 June
- Romania: Application open from 7 May to 20 June
- Russia: Application open until 30 June
The application phase for the group-wide “Elevator Lab” is open from 1 May until 24 June. Startups can apply for the program via the website www.elevator-lab.com.
 network banks (Albania, Belarus, Bulgaria, Kosovo, Romania, Russia, Serbia, and Slovakia) target innovative FinTech solutions in their regional markets.){kind=link}