Visa has announced the 2021 edition of the Everywhere Initiative.
The initiative opens an innovation program that tasks start-ups and fintechs to solve the payment and future commerce challenges and enhance their own product propositions and provide visionary solutions for Visa’s vast network of partners.
The program was first launched in the U.S. in 2015 and quickly expanded into a global program with more than 7,000 participating startups.
To date, startups have collectively raised over $2.5 billion in funding, and the program has been activated on six continents—touching more than 100 countries.
The credit card giant company said they would focus on expansion and accessibility by offering a one-stop experience to register and learn about upcoming opportunities and competitions via the global website this year.
Applicants of the Fintech competition will pitch their ideas in regional competitions to a panel of expert judges from across the payments industry.
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“….. We recognize fintechs as a force for innovation that is core to our business and encourage everyone to apply to Visa Everywhere Initiative. I am looking forward to seeing the many brilliant ideas from Kenya and across Sub Saharan Africa this year,” noted Aida Diarra, Senior Vice President and Group Country Manager for Visa Sub Saharan Africa.
All Sub Saharan Africa applicants (SSA) are invited to compete first on a CEMEA stage to win a combined $25,000 in total prize and then on a global stage for a combined $100,000 in total prize money. and to tell their companies’ stories
Participants are invited to submit their English applications to the CEMEA regional pitch before May 7, with the regional CEMEA finals scheduled for June 8 and global finals – for September 14, 2021.
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