FinTech Frontier is back for its second-ever pitch competition.
Initiative designed to boost Cincinnati's position as an emerging hub for fintech startups is accepting applications for the contest, with finalists set to be announced in mid-October. The deadline to apply is Oct. 8.
According to a release, participants will be vying for a $75,000 pool of cash prizes. They will each have to submit a five-minute pitch video and pitch their startups live during StartupCincy Week on Oct. 28.
"Whether you're expanding access for all to improve financial wellness, leading the green revolution through financial services, bringing added financial transparency to supply chains, or protecting consumers' financial health with greater data, identity, or security tools, we want to hear from you," Cintrifuse CEO Pete Blackshaw said in a statement.
Last year, nine startups, from New Orleans, Columbus, New York City, Pittsburgh, Raleigh and Cincinnati, competed for a $60,000 prize pool.
FinTech Frontier, which is coordinated by Cintrifuse, was launched in 2020 as a future-focused partnership between Cincinnati-based financial services corporations and fintech and insurtech entrepreneurs. It's backed by some of the city's biggest names in business, including Fifth Third Bank and Western & Southern Financial Group. JobsOhio also recently signed on as a backer.
The overall idea is to drive innovation, attract entrepreneurs and bring new talent to the region.
Cincinnati is one of a few U.S. cities to house the headquarters or major operations of several large banks, insurance companies and payments processors — and leaders want to seize that opportunity.
