FinTech Wales Foundry completes its second accelerator programme, with new jobs, new deals and investment in the sector

• 2022 accelerator cohort to create more than 100 jobs in Wales in the next three years
• Vaughan Gething, economy minister, quoted on the 2022 cohort

Pictured: Billy Williams, Cufflink; Daniaal Awais-Dean, EverKnock; Eamon Tuhami, FinTech Wales; Tom Lewis, Admiral Money; Abi Elohim, BOMADU; TJ Amas, QuoteOnSite; Neil Cocker, FinTech Wales; Sarah Williams-Gardener, FinTech Wales; Ken Poole, Cardiff Council; Shabnam Wazed, AGAM; Diogo Santos, Yacooba; Ammar Aktar, Finaldentals; Steve Talbot, EverKnock; Ben Joacim, Principality Building Society.

FinTech Wales Foundry, the flagship accelerator program created by FinTech Wales, yesterday completed its 2022 programme with a pledge to create, between them, more than £70 million in revenue in the next three years and create 100 jobs in Wales.

Sponsored by Principality Building Society, Admiral Money, and Cardiff Capital Region City Deal, the accelerator programme offers places to eight start-up businesses from across the UK and Europe.

Just six months since the last programme, the Foundry launched with its second season, bigger, and bolder than before. Thanks to lifting of Covid restrictions the program ran in person, with world leading master classes, engaging Fireside Chats with world-renowned entrepreneurs, and support to help founders validate their early stage ideas, raise investment and create a plan to scale!

The Foundry is a 12-week no equity programme backed by FinTech Wales and is the only accelerator of its kind in Wales.

Over 150 companies from across the UK and Europe applied to take part in 2022, of which eight companies were invited to take part in the programme, entitled The Foundry: Validate Raise & Scale.

Those companies are:

TropoGo — Building Google Maps between 30ft to 3000Ft for Low Altitude Aerial Mobility and Insurance.
QuoteOnSite – QuoteOnSite is a cloud-based platform that saves SME’s time and money by automating the process of creating, sending, tracking and analysing their quotes, proposals, contracts and other digital documents.
Yacooba – Mixing blockchain ticketing protocol with a one-click-buy travel marketplace to generate more revenue for promoters and rewards for audiences.
Finalrentals – Powering local car rental companies to unlock the power of internet with online bookings, insurance, e-payments, and an international voice (AdTech meets FinTech)
BOMADU – Helping first-time buyers finance property deposits in an innovative way
AGAM – AI powered credit-scoring platform connecting customers to banks for accessing instant credit.
Cufflink – helping businesses limit the likelihood, impacts and costs of a personal data breach.
EverKnock – A concierge to manage every aspect of your home-buying journey.

Economy Minister Vaughan Gething said:

“I’m delighted to see the second successful cohort of Fintech startups graduating from the FinTech Wales Foundry.

“FinTech is a fast growing innovative sector and one that has a prosperous future in Wales, creating economic value and high-quality, rewarding job opportunities.

“Earlier this year I was fortunate to meet some of this cohort on a trade mission to Dubai and I learnt first-hand the growth aspirations of these start-ups, including through export markets.

“I would like to thank FinTech Wales for providing expertise and support to this vibrant cluster, tirelessly promoting their members both in Wales, across the UK and on the global stage.”

Neil Cocker, Programme Director of the 2022 FinTech Wales Foundry, commented:

“This year’s cohort represents some of the most forward-thinking start-ups in areas such as data security, blockchain and insurance.

“It’s been incredible to work with such innovative companies that are really making strides in new and developing areas of FinTech. It’s imperative that, for Wales to become a leading global FinTech hub, that we are encouraging these innovative businesses to Scale in Wales and with even the international startups on the programme committed to relocating and growing their businesses in Wales, I feel like we’ve made real in-roads which can only lead to more success for this thriving sector in Wales.”

Last year’s cohort collectively raised more than £9M in investment and created over 20 jobs. Part of the 2021 cohort was Sero, a Cardiff-based energy technology and services company who has recently secured £5.5m investment from Hodge and Legal & General.

Neil Cocker, Programme Director of the 2022 FinTech Wales Foundry at the FinTech Wales Foundry Accelerator Showcase 2022.

FinTech Wales, CEO, Sarah Williams-Gardener commented:

“The work of the Foundry is fast-becoming a key part of our vision to establish Wales as a leading global hub for FinTech. From the applications we receive from all over the world, to the eventual eight companies who make up the cohort, we get a snapshot into the talent that’s out there, and the innovations taking place in FinTech.

“As the organisation championing FinTech in Wales, we absolutely cannot let this talent go elsewhere and by encouraging these companies to not only stay in Wales, but also relocate, we are helping to create jobs and show that Wales is THE place to scale if you are a burgeoning business in FinTech. I could not be more proud of the work that the Foundry does and believe it represents a successful blueprint for any other Accelerator Programme, but we are leading the way in Wales.”

Diogo Santos, Co-founder & COO at Yacooba, said:

“The Wales FinTech Foundry has helped us deciding for Wales when choosing to setup our global headquarters due to its positioning in supporting startups to scale, being part of the UK market, the largest in Europe in the event industry, and due to the UK having the most event travelers in Europe. The Cohort helped us polish certain aspects of how we present our company to investors and to consumers whilst giving us the chance to interact with great founders, mentors, and investors.”

Ammar Akhtar, Founder and CEO at Finalrentals Group said:

“Fintech Wales Accelerator has been an eye-opening program for me, it is like you graduate as an Entrepreneur from a program that is designed and delivered by the Entrepreneurs for the Entrepreneurs. It has also shown the potential of Wales’ FinTech and Tech ecosystem, and I believe there is no better place than Wales to setup Finalrentals Global HQ. Entrepreneur and Startup Friendly, buzzing with enthusiasm and technology innovation – Wales is the place to be. Thank you FinTech Wales for this amazing experience.”

The FinTech Wales Foundry will be back for Season 3 with Admiral Money, Principality Building Society & Confused.com. Keep your eyes peeled on our socials or subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated.

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