Startupbootcamp, the global industry-focused startup accelerator, announced the launch of the brand new FinTech & CyberSecurity program in Amsterdam, following the success of their FinTech programs in London, Singapore and New York. Startups can apply now to be part of this new accelerator program.

Focusing on accelerating startups in areas such as blockchain, P2P payments, compliance/KYC as well as cyber security related areas including fraud detection, cloud security, and encryption, the program has gained backing from leading names in the global FinTech & CyberSecurity community, including Rabobank, ING, ABN Amro, SNS Bank, PwC, NN Group, Delta Lloyd and Athlon.

FinTech is at the forefront of the transformation in the financial industry and is changing the way value and ownership is exchanged, risk is being managed and transactions are being performed. While this transformation is taking place in all segments of the industry, security and safeguarding the ownership of assets and data is becoming increasingly important. In today’s environment, cybersecurity is a priority at board level.

The scale of highly publicized data losses, and the need for consumers to feel 100% secure in their financial life prompted Startupbootcamp to raise the bar and add the CyberSecurity as a special component to the FinTech accelerator. They believe that the combination of FinTech and CyberSecurity provides tremendous opportunities, as it will leverage new ideas and technologies that ensure security with seamless user experiences. The program aims at taking the industry to new levels in terms of speed and customer-centricity. For a full overview of all verticals in which the program is scouting startups, see http://www.startupbootcamp.org/accelerator/fintech-cyber-security-amsterdam/.

Amsterdam has a vibrant startup ecosystem in both FinTech and CyberSecurity, and innovation in these sectors has been central, with Adyen as a key example. As one of the top 5 best places in the world to live and do business, Amsterdam is among the most attractive startup hubs in the world. Startupbootcamp established it’s Amsterdam operations 5 years ago and has since accelerated over 80 startups, of which 95% got funded and 92% are still active.

Patrick de Zeeuw, Co Founder Startupbootcamp said: “We started preparing for this 3rd program in Amsterdam about 14 months ago and it’s been an amazing journey so far. We’ve had high potential startups targeting the FinTech & Cyber Security space in our horizontal-, NFC-, E-commerce and Smart City programs in the past. All of them are making great progress and growing their businesses around the globe. FinTech has been one of the hottest startup themes in the last 3 years and Cyber Security will  in 2017 be one of the top industries angels and VC’s are betting on. That’s why we decided to launch this program in Amsterdam, next to our E-commerce and Smart City & Living programs.”

The FinTech & CyberSecurity program will be headed by Michael Dooijes who will take on the role of Managing Director as of the 15th of August. Michael has an extensive background in the Fintech industry, having served as a member of the Rabobank Innovation Board and as a CEO of their own Fintech venture, leading mobile commerce company MyOrder.

Prior to taking the MD role for the new program, Michael has been involved with Startupbootcamp as a mentor and partner in the Startupbootcamp FinTech programs in London and New York, as well as the  E-commerce programs in Amsterdam over the last 3,5 years.

“FinTech is about rejuvenation and bringing new energy into the industry. We will help find the industry it’s necessary fountain of youth: bring new challenges, new opportunities and new energy to change the industry forever. It’s one thing to know that disruption is happening – it’s another to know what to do. It’s nothing new to say that large companies are struggling with change. But many companies spend too much time thinking about change and how to do it best. I do not believe you can think your way into innovation, you have to act,” said  Michael Dooijes, Managing Director Startupbootcamp FinTech & CyberSecurity.

With this new and unique program, Startupbootcamp brings together top FinTech & CyberSecurity startups from around the world, a mentor network of renowned industry experts and entrepreneurs and major players in banking, insurance, consultancy, leasing and technology as founding partners. Startupbootcamp FinTech & CyberSecurity Amsterdam will also provide €15,000 per team, 100+ highly engaged mentors from the FinTech & Cyber Security industry, free office space, a convertible note, access to funding and a network of industry partners, investors and venture capital firms for 10 selected startups.

“It is rare occasion to see the largest names within the financial community of one country coming together to enable early stage innovation and to focus on real problems that affect the industry today. 2016 has seen some major security breaches in the financial sector and we are excited to bring the Cybersecurity focus to the Startupbootcamp FinTech family of programs” – Nektarios Liolios, Global MD Startupbootcamp FinTech.

To kick off, startups from all over the world are invited to present their ideas to the Startupbootcamp FinTech & CyberSecurity team at a series of ‘FastTrack’ days between August and November 2016. These FastTracks are being held globally in cities including Amsterdam, London, Berlin, Paris, Tel Aviv, Moscow and Madrid. The program is specifically scouting for startups in blockchain, payment solutions, capital markets and asset management, alternative financing, cyber iron and identity management, data and behavioral analytics and enabling technologies. The 10 successful applicants will enter the three-month accelerator program on the 9th of January 2017.