Got a FinTech startup? These are the competitions for you!

A list of startup competitions awarding prizes to startups focused on FinTech

If you're a startup seeking opportunities to get funded, educated or connected, startup competitions are a great resource.

Vator has been holding its own competitions, using VatorX, to find and filter for the best startups. We've had some very successful and notable winners in the past that have gone on to raise big funding rounds including Thumbtack, DogVacay, Pokitdok, Grovo, Udemy and Apartment List, to name a few.

Anyone can list their program as VatorX is one of the most comprehensive listing guides to startup competitions, challenges, accelerators and programs. Click here to list your program!

As part of our weekly series, we'll look at top competitions with big cash prizes, as well as competitions that have teed up the most promising startups, to finding popular startup competitions you need to know about. 

Here are some of the startup competitions that are focused on the FinTech space:

• BBVA Open Talent 2017 

Description: "The world’s biggest fintech challenge for startups, which this year has grown significantly. A truly global hunt for the best of the best in the world of fintech and digital banking."

Prize: €30,000, Immersion Week at BBVA headquarters in Madrid and participating in BBVA Global Summit. 

Previous winners: SnapSwap, Everledger, Origin Markets,

• Global Fintech Challenge

Description: "The Global Fintech Challenge gathers the innovative FinTech ecosystem around a challenge to think about major concerns this phenomenon has involved. The ultimate goal is to build strong business relationships between key actors of this movement."

Prize: The total value of the prizes on offer is nearly €50,000

Previous winners: Dream Payments, EFL Global, Finansync, NanobiData & Analytics

• FinCon

Description: "FinCon is a peer conference for the financial media community. Attendees connect, learn to create compelling online content, and discover new trends in money and personal finance."

Prize: In 2016, the prizes included $4,000 cash, a 10’x8′ exhibit space at #FinCon17, and a review on PTMoney.com.

Previous winners: Kavout, FamZoo, TickerTags

• Pitch360

Description: "The fintech startups you need to watch in 2017"

Prize: £10,000 prize, a press package that includes media introductions and training, top policy and legal advice from Hogan Lovells, one year’s complimentary membership to Innovate Finance and two complimentary tickets to the 2018 Innovate Finance Global Summit

Previous winners: GuardSquare 

• Global Open Innovation Business

Description: "This is an excellent opportunity to introduce the new social infrastructure, through which we can form the “triple win” business alliance among NTT DATA group, startups and our clients (major corporations), bring more happiness to the world, and alleviate suffering. We look forward to seeing your innovative proposals."

Prize:  The Grand Finale winner at the final selection on 29th August will receive full-scale support for the development of their proposed new business, including formulation of a business support team and local support in business marketing. 

The Grand Finale winner will be able to take the most of a three-month in-kind contribution to support the development of their proposed new business. NTT DATA covers travel and accommodation (2 weeks) expenses for two people during the collaborative project with the challenge providing team at the targeted market.

Previous winners: Social Coin

• PitchIt 2017

Description: "PitchIt (a competition for fintech startups) is now in its third year at LendIt USA, one of the leading fintech and marketplace lending events in the world. This year’s Exclusive PitchIt Partner is global venture capital fund 500 Startups, the world leader in investing in and mentoring early-stage fintech startups. This platform will nurture emerging talent in fintech throughout the competition, provide selected finalists with unparalleled access to industry expertise as well as invaluable exposure, branding and more at LendIt USA."

Prize: Selected finalists receive a free all-access pass to attend the entire LendIt USA 2017 conference ($2995 value); Up to $1,000 for travel to PitchIt; a complimentary Bronze sponsorship package for LendIt USA 2018 ($20K value); 50% off Startup Zone booths for the eight selected PitchIt finalists

 Previous winners: Zopa, Flexiti Financial, LendingHome

• Innotribe

Description: "Launched in 2011, Innotribe Startup Challenge’s mission was to bring visibility to activities at the edges of our ecosystem, highlighting the importance of these new emerging companies called startups and their revolutionary way to think and work. Over the years, the Startup Challenge has become one of the leading global startup competitions, connecting the financial services industry with more than 650 FinTech startups around the world and reaching over 4,000 audience members through global showcases and networking events."

Prize: Coaching and mentoring from renowned experts from the global FinTech scene; get the opportunity to meet financial industry executives and potential investors; be one of the 10 startups to join each of our showcases – we will cover your travel and expenses up to 2,500 EUR; perform at your best during the showcase and get a chance to receive a 10,000 EUR cash prize and tickets to attend Sibos, the world’s premier financial services event.

Previous winners: Hyperledger, Hello Paisa, The Sun Exchange, WeCashUp

• Fintech Junction

Description: "By participating in the FinTech Junction startup competition you will receive maximum exposure to the leading executives and organization in the FinTech industry as well as unprecedented guidance for your startup."

Prize: 3-10 hours of consulting services at Deloitte Israel; one month access for 2 people to The Floor – Israel’s Fintech Hub; 3-10 hours of legal advice with the FinTech experts of HFN.

Previous winners: None

(Image source: entrepreneur.com)