Investing in the Future with FIS | FF News at Fintech Meetup 2024

Want to know the investment strategy of one of the largest fintech companies in the world? In this interview with Tal Sigura, Senior Manager of Venture Investments at FIS, we find out what their current focus is and how they're helping smaller fintech companies to grow. Through their well established accelerator program, FIS are looking to find and scale up the best in the business. The FIS accelerator started in 2017 and is one of a number of similar accelerators by established multinational enterprises seeking to find and support new technology. Previous participants include NayaOne, Kani, Themis, OakNorth, FlutterWave and more. We covered this one and the role that accelerators could play in filling a funding gap for new fintechs, in a recent magazine article. We talked about how in the wake of a funding slow down it’s possible for fintech startups to get a boost by joining an accelerator like FIS’s and gain access to a swathe of benefits. Speaking to us at Fintech Meetup in Las Vegas earlier this year, Sigura outlines what those are. In the interview above she explains how FIS facilitates introductions to both customers and investors, bridging connections between fintechs, traditional banks, venture capitalists, and the broader ecosystem.

Big benefits for fintech startups

Additionally, they also provide valuable knowledge and expertise, assisting founders in overcoming their most significant challenges. It’s an enviable offering and one that makes competition for places so hotly contested. Since they started in 2017 the plan has always been to make strategic investments in companies that can provide them with a greater hold on the future of fintech. Sigura talks about this here and outlines their current investment strategy which prioritizes strategic alignment, seeking fintechs that complement FIS's existing offerings. There’s a number of areas of focus including on platforms, embedded finance, accounts receivables, accounts payables, and financial intelligence, which she says encompasses identity verification and personalization. She also talks about the significant level of involvement FIS have in developing these startups once they join the program. They deploy a dedicated team to guide fintechs through various stages of investment, offering support with product integrations and facilitating introductions to new customers. It’s an interesting chat and a brief, digestible video, so enjoy and if you’re from a fintech, looking to accelerate with one of the biggest companies to do it, be sure to prepare your application for next year.