The Stockholm Fintech Hub, an independent, not-for-profit hub, is set to launch in the first quarter of 2017. The hub’s mission is to accelerate and promote the development of Sweden’s fintech, insurtech, and regtech startups. It was created by Matthew Argent, Partner BLC Advisors, KPMG, NFT Ventures, and Invest Stockholm.
Alongside KPMG and NFT Ventures, Stockholm FinTech Hub’s steering committee includes Invest Stockholm and Synch Law. More partners will be announced in due course. Sharing details about the new hub, Argent stated:
“The ecosystem of FinTech-startups and high growth companies in Sweden is one of the best in the world. But to keep the excellent standards up in a global market we need to evolve the support ecosystem that supports these companies. Stockholm has some exceptional ‘horizontal’ general tech co-working spaces, meetups, accelerators and investors. We are now at the stage where ‘verticalised’, specialised environments need to be created that allow FinTech founders and entrepreneurs access to a support system that can tackle the challenges and maximise the opportunities that are specific to FinTech companies.”
He then noted:
“Stockholm FinTech Hub will be an enabler and a vital link between startups, regulators and established financial institutions. It will be a place where FinTech companies can access a dedicated support ecosystem designed specifically for the FinTech environment, including access to 42 other FinTech Hubs across the world where co-operation agreements have been formed.”
Kenneth Sorensen, partner at KPMG, revealed:
“At KPMG, we have a solid knowledge of the FS sector as well as global partnerships with FinTech companies. We see the importance of Sweden having a physical centre for this rapidly growing sector and can support our clients in identifying the partnerships, investment opportunities and acquisition candidates that this sector offers.”
Johan Lundberg, founding partner and CEO at NFT Ventures, added:
“We are proud to support this innovation hub. With our knowledge and experience of the FinTech sector, we see a number of advantages in being able to work more proactively and having a hub for the sector.”