Today, Mastercard launches Fintech Express in Europe, a programme designed to facilitate emerging fintechs' launch and expansion. Leveraging the power of partnerships and Mastercard's expertise, technology, and global network, startups will now be able to focus on innovation that drives the digital economy.
Mastercard Fintech Express helps startups launch rapidly and expand based on their needs:
- Access: obtaining a Mastercard License and accessing the global payments company's network through a streamlined onboarding process
- Build: becoming an Express Partner[1] by building unique tech alliances and benefitting from all the advantages that Mastercard provides.
- Connect: connecting with qualified Express Partners and going live with Mastercard in a matter of days.
The programme supports digital payment innovators by making it simple to collaborate with Mastercard and its partners to launch new fintech products. It is designed for fintechs looking to add payment solutions to their suite of products, tech-savvy startups looking at serving a new segment as well as established players with ambitions to innovate through partnerships. Becoming an Express Partner helps brands simplify the launching of payment solutions, shortening the process from a few months to a matter of days[2]. Express Partners will also enjoy all the benefits of becoming a Qualified Engage Partner.
Mark Barnett, President at Mastercard Europe comments: "In recent years, European startups have been driving the global transition towards more digital economies. The prodigious growth of new technology has touched our lives in numerous ways. Be it mobile payments, access to financing, or e-commerce, fintechs have become the building blocks of our modern-day payment infrastructure. Mastercard has already established itself as partner of choice for fintechs across Europe and with today's announcement we are taking the next step in further empowering them to fulfil their ambitions of scale and speed."
Railsbank, a global Banking-as-a-Service (Baas) platform, is one of the early players to have joined forces under the new Express Partner programme. "Since joining Mastercard's award winning Start Path programme in 2017, our successful collaboration with Railsbank has further powered the digital economy by allowing fintechs to launch new technologies rapidly and easily," added Barnett.
Mastercard Fintech Express falls under the umbrella of Mastercard Accelerate - Mastercard's overarching fintech platform that gives start-ups and emerging brands support and assistance for every stage of their growth and transformation, from market entry to global expansion. Mastercard Accelerate is comprised of four main programmes: Fintech Express, Start Path, Engage and Developers.
Open banking regulations in Europe continue to foster new fintech business models in the region.[3] "Open banking provides an opportunity for traditional financial players to collaborate with fintechs to bring innovative products to people safely and simply," added Barnett. With this in mind, Mastercard also recently launched a new suite of Open Banking Solutions™ to underpin, enable and safeguard greater choice of financial services across Europe.
