Enterprise Ireland is targeting the fintech sector with a new €500,000 fund aimed at supporting startup activity.

Each successful applicant can be awarded up to €50,000 each in equity support, and the competitive start fund is open to early stage companies that are either offering technology-driven solutions within the sector or are targeting the fintech and financial services sector as an end market. Successful applicants will also get membership to Dogpatch Labs in the IFSC, and access to the Ulster Bank Innovation Solutions team and industry masterclasses.

Part of the IFS2020 strategy, the new fund will support the State agency’s strategy to grow the number of high potential startups in Ireland, companies that could employ more than 10 people and hit the €1 million mark for export sales within three years.

“A priority for Enterprise Ireland is to help Irish entrepreneurs and companies to start up,” said Enterprise Ireland’s Leo McAdams. “By introducing a specific start-up fund targeting the fintech sector, Enterprise Ireland is leveraging our strong international financial services reputation and our world-class start-up ecosystem to allow ambitious entrepreneurs to start, scale and succeed - providing valuable jobs here into the future.”

The fund was launched by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Mary Mitchell O’Connor. “Ireland is recognised as a key hub for fintech innovation and this new fund will make a real contribution to supporting more start-ups and ultimately more jobs in Ireland,” she said.

The fund will open to applications from June 1st until June 15th, and will be open to companies in payments, banking, regtech, security, and insurtech and fintech solutions that use technologies such as blockchain, internet of things, artificial intelligence and data intelligence.