EY signs up to Innovate Finance

EY and Innovate Finance, the leading global Financial Technology association, have announced their collaboration on a rolling talent programme aimed at developing cutting edge research to support FinTech - a line of business based on using software to provide financial services to technology companies.

In line with its commitment to support entrepreneurship and innovation, EY has become the first of the Big 4 to join Innovate Finance, which already has a community of over 120 FinTech companies including startups, established financial services institutions and two $1bn unicorns.

Under the agreement, EY will pilot a unique talent program in which EY staff will be seconded to the Innovate Finance member community for three month stints to help accelerate innovation programmes and startup growth. EY will also collaborate on major research projects on emerging FinTech trends such as open payments, financial inclusion, regtech and blockchain technology.

EY has been building its long-standing reciprocal relationship with the wider entrepreneurial community since 1986, when it launched the Entrepreneur of the Year (EOY) programme. EOY now has a global reach spanning over 60 countries and celebrates the world’s most successful and innovative entrepreneurs.

In the last few years EY has been specifically growing its FinTech expertise, and just last year launched a startup accelerator programme in the UK to grow and develop the country’s most innovative technology companies. A 2014 EY report on FinTech innovation as the new frontier for financial services showed that FinTech is already a £20bn industry in the UK and growing exceptionally fast.

Ronald Attard, Country Managing Partner, EY Malta said, ‘EY global is always on the forefront to sustain entrepreneurs and new growth areas.  This is also the case in Malta. Through its collaboration with TAKEOFF Incubation Centre, at the University of Malta, EY is organising the Exceptional Entrepreneurs speaker series.

"Over the past few months, we have hosted keynote speakers including Entrepreneur of the Year winner Peter Ohnemus, one of Europe's most successful new economy entrepreneurs, Tom Morrisroe, EY Entrepreneur of the Year Alumnus from Ireland and Gavin Bourke, an Irish entrepreneur with significant experience in the private equity industry,

"Just a few weeks ago, another guest speaker, Jeff Lynn, CEO and co-founder of Seedrs – the first equity crowdfunding platform in the world to obtain regulatory approval - addressed a captivated audience of over 100 budding and experienced entrepreneurs during an interactive session. We are now looking forward to welcoming Dr Alexander Galitsky, Russian EY Entrepreneur of the Year winner and co-founder and managing partner at Almaz Capital Partners."

The event will be held on the 11 September at the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, Valletta.

Participation in Dr Galitsky’s event is free. However booking is strongly encouraged by sending an email to [email protected].