Second cohort of teams enrol on the Barclays Accelerator
Ten businesses aiming to shape the future of financial services will begin their journey on the thirteen-week Accelerator programme in London.
The Barclays Accelerator, powered by Techstars, is an intensive startup programme of networking, mentoring and development, aimed at supporting breakthrough financial technology (fintech) innovations. It is the second time the programme is being run in London.
Hundreds of start-ups from over 60 countries worldwide applied for one of the ten places on the programme. The chosen ideas range from new cutting edge encryption technology for cyber security, a new bond marketplace to a Bitcoin company.
The ten companies will be based at the London Escalator, an open innovation space designed to support start-ups and entrepreneurs, giving them the optimum environment to thrive, with the opportunity to network with and learn from likeminded individuals. Each of the teams will also receive $20,000 seed funding from Techstars.
Derek White, chief design officer, Barclays, said: “We recognise that to drive innovation within Barclays, we also need to look outside of the organisation and embrace the innovative start-up ecosystem. As the second cohort kicks off in London, I’m looking forward to working with these start-ups as we shape and co-create future financial technology. Many of the teams enrolling today are exploring technologies that could particularly help transform the ways banks operate so I’m keen to see how their ideas develop.”
Greg Rogers, managing director, Techstars, said: “We are ecstatic to launch our second cohort in partnership with Barclays. FinTech is white hot right now and is evidenced by the amazing quality of innovators we get to work with through this unique programme.”
Each company selected for the Barclays Accelerator will refine their business model, culminating in a public Demo Day in London in June. Applications for the New York-based version of the programme are also open now.
More information on the Barclays Accelerator can be found at http://www.barclaysaccelerator.com/
