Barclays opens startup accelerator programme in London
Barclays is looking for fintech startups in London
Barclays and startup accelerator company Techstars have opened the application process for the third cohort of their Accelerator programme in London, which will give ten businesses a chance to “shape the future” of financial services, the bank has said.
The Barclays Accelerator, powered by Techstars, is a 13-week intensive startup programme designed to support new businesses on their journey to delivering breakthrough innovations.
It follows two programmes previously run in London – the most recent programme, which concluded in June, saw seven out of the 10 companies sign agreements with Barclays. The programme is also currently running in New York.
Entrepreneurs and start-up companies from anywhere in the world can apply for the London programme now, with their applications focused on developing the future of FinTech. Applications will close on 11 October 2015, with the programme beginning at the end of January 2016.
The ten companies will be guided through the process of growing and developing their businesses with the help of funding of up to $100,000 from Techstars. They will have mentorship from industry experts and will be based at the London Escalator, near London’s Tech City. The programme will culminate in a public demo day in London in April 2016.
Interest in financial services startups has been growing in recent years, and a number of different accelerators have been set up. Major banks such as Barclays, BBVAand Citi have their own programs, and there is also the Innotribe startup challenge run by Swift. Startupbootcamp was created in February last year and held its debut event in London with support from Lloyds banking group and the Netherlands’ Rabobank.
