Fin+Tech

What Fin+Tech does

Fin+Tech is an Italian fintech and insurtech accelerator program founded in 2021 as part of CDP Venture Capital SGR's Rete Nazionale Acceleratori (CDP National Accelerator Network), managed by Zest S.p.A. (Euronext Growth Milan-listed, ticker ZEST). The program runs a 4-month intensive acceleration cycle anchored by Selection Days (national and international scouting, ~30 shortlisted to Pitch Day), a February bootcamp, a March pitch day, and a culminating Demo Day. Each cohort admits approximately 10 startups, which receive an initial investment-and-services package of approximately €100,000 in exchange for up to 10% equity, with a committed follow-on investment of up to €200,000 for top performers after Demo Day.

The program's core product is the acceleration curriculum itself: mentorship, sector masterclasses (product economics, business development, fundraising, regulatory compliance), access to corporate partners for pilot programs, and structured investor-readiness support. Corporate partners across the 2021-2024 triennium include Intesa Sanpaolo, BNL, BNP Paribas, Banco Mediolanum, Banca Sella, Compass, Credem, Nexi, Reale, Intesa Vita, TeamSystem, and Fabrick/Fintech District. Technology perks (€500K+ in value) come from Amazon, Google, Stripe, HubSpot, and SendGrid. Five focus verticals guide cohort selection: Regulatory Tech, Blockchain & DeFi, AI & Data, Embedded Finance & Insurance, and Cybersecurity.

The business model is event-driven and community-led: revenue is generated through equity stakes in portfolio companies (capital appreciation, not fees), supplemented by corporate-partner sponsorship and access to a combined alumni network of 5,000+ founders across Zest (140+ portfolio startups, 13 exits) and Startupbootcamp (1,100+ portfolio companies globally, 14 combined exits, €400M raised). Fin+Tech itself does not publicly disclose revenue; the €3.7M figure widely cited represents capital deployed into portfolio startups, not top-line. The program has executed four annual cohorts from 2021-2024, accelerated approximately 40 startups, and seen portfolio companies raise €15M from external investors. Headquarters in Rome (Via Marsala 29h, 00185), with operational offices in Milan (Via Bernardo Quaranta 40, 20139) and Turin (Via Giacomo Matteotti 29 bis, 10121).

Name

Fin+Tech

Legal name

Zest S.p.A.

Website

https://finplustech.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Fin+Tech is an Italian fintech and insurtech accelerator program (founded 2021, managed by Euronext Growth Milan-listed Zest S.p.A.) that runs a 4-month annual cohort for 10 startups, offering up to €300K in investment and access to major Italian banking and insurance corporate partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Accelerator

NAICS

Open-End Investment Funds (525910)

SIC

Investment Advice (6282)

akta.pro primary industry

Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD)

Keywords

• Fintech accelerator program
• Insurtech startup acceleration
• Venture capital investment
• Startup mentorship services
• Corporate partnership network

Headquarters

HQ city

Rome

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Equity Investment in Startups: Fin+Tech invests in startups by acquiring equity stakes. Upon Selection Day, Fin+Tech acquires up to 10% of the share capital of participating startups. Additionally, top performers receive further investments averaging 200K€ following the Demo Day.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Fin+Tech runs a 4-month intensive accelerator program for early-stage fintech and insurtech startups, selecting approximately 10 startups per year through national and international scouting. Selected startups receive an investment package of up to €300,000 (approximately €100,000 initial cash and services in exchange for up to 10% equity, plus up to €200,000 follow-on investment for top performers after Demo Day), along with mentorship, masterclasses, and direct access to a network of major Italian and European banking and insurance corporate partners.

Product overview

Fin+Tech is a fintech and insurtech accelerator program operating as part of the CDP National Accelerator Network. The core offering is a 4-month intensive acceleration program providing startups with mentorship, masterclasses, and access to corporate partners and investors. The program delivers an investment package of up to €300,000 (€100K initial plus €200K follow-on for top performers). The portfolio includes the Accelerator Program itself, the Investment Package, educational modules (Masterclasses & Lectures), Mentorship & Strategic Consulting, Corporate Partner Network access, Investor Day events, Perks & Discounts Program, Alumni Program, and access to the broader Zest and Startupbootcamp networks. The program focuses on five key innovation areas: Regulatory Tech, Blockchain & DeFi, AI & Data, Embedded Finance & Insurance, and Cybersecurity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Fin+Tech Accelerator Program A 4-month intensive acceleration program for early-stage fintech and insurtech startups, selecting approximately 10 startups per year through national and international scouting. Participants receive mentorship, masterclasses, corporate partner access, investor introductions, and post-program alumni support.
• Investment Package

Quantifiable outcome

• 40 startups accelerated with 3.7M€ invested directly
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, key, supporting and minor.

• ZestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe leading Italian accelerator with track record of 140+ portfolio startups, 13 exits, 73 active startups. Recognized as most active investor in early-stage Fintech and Insurtech in Italy. Developed and manages the Fin+Tech website.
• StartupbootcampcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 2010, one of the world's leading accelerators and first in Europe. Manages approximately 1,100 startups in portfolio across 20+ programs globally. Over 70% activity rate at 5 years for alumni.
• NexikeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean PayTech listed on Euronext Milan with scale, geographic reach, and capabilities to drive cashless Europe transition. Provides technology expertise and payment ecosystem access.
• Gruppo CredemkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of Italy's largest private banking groups operating through 600+ branches, enterprise centers, and private centers across 19 Italian regions. Contributes banking sector expertise and corporate partnership access.
• Fintech DistrictkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational fintech ecosystem community in Italy with 300+ fintech and techfin entities and corporate members. Acts as ecosystem aggregator for stakeholder synergy. Part of Fabrick, based in Milan.
• RealesupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInsurance company participating as corporate partner in the 2021-2024 triennium program, providing insurance sector innovation needs access.
• TeamSystemsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTechnology partner providing software solutions expertise as corporate partner for the accelerator program.
• BNLsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBanca Nazionale del Lavoro, major Italian bank participating as corporate partner in 2021-2024.
• BNP ParibassupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor international banking group with Italian operations participating as corporate partner in 2021-2024.
• Banco MediolanumsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorItalian private banking group participating as corporate partner in 2021-2024.
• CompasssupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorItalian consumer credit company participating as corporate partner in 2021-2024.
• Intesa SanpaolosupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorItaly's largest banking group by assets participating as corporate partner in 2021-2024.
• Intesa VitasupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLife insurance company of Intesa Sanpaolo group participating as corporate partner in 2021-2024.
• Banca SellasupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorItalian banking group participating as corporate partner in 2021-2024.
• FabricksupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company of Fintech District, open banking platform enabling ecosystem collaboration.
• ItaliaFintechsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian fintech industry association acting as ecosystem partner.
• Swiss InsurtechsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss insurtech ecosystem partner providing international connections.
• FPBsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEcosystem partner providing additional fintech network connections.
• Amazon, Google, Stripe, HubSpot, SendGridminorOthersTechnology partners providing over 500K€ in exclusive agreements for cloud services, payments, marketing, email, and other technology tools.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Startupbootcamp: Startupbootcamp is a core strategic partner and co-developer of Fin+Tech, and one of Europe's largest accelerator networks with 20+ global programs and 1,100+ portfolio startups. Operates the same investor-operator accelerator model with sector-specialized verticals.
• Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center: Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center runs corporate venture and accelerator programs in Italy for fintech, AI, and cleantech, with access to Italy's largest banking group. A direct Italian corporate-accelerator competitor for the same fintech founder pool.
• Zest S.p.A. Zest S.p.A. is the operating entity of the Fin+Tech program and Italy's most active early-stage fintech/insurtech investor. Directly comparable as the parent and program operator with 140+ portfolio startups and 13 exits.
• BNL BNP Paribas Innovation Hub: BNL's innovation programs (and BNP Paribas' Hello Innovation / Le Studio) are corporate accelerators in the Italian and European fintech space. Already a corporate partner of Fin+Tech, they could also serve as competing pathways for Italian fintech founders.

Broad incumbents

• Mastercard Start Path: Mastercard Start Path is a global fintech accelerator/engagement program offering access to Mastercard's network, banks, and ecosystem. Competes for the same fintech founders with significantly larger scale and resources.
• Techstars: Techstars is one of the world's largest accelerator operators running multiple fintech-focused programs (Techstars Fintech, Techstars Web3) with larger check sizes and broader international reach. A direct competitor for high-quality fintech founders and a benchmark for program design.
• Speedinvest: Speedinvest is a leading European early-stage VC with a dedicated FinTech/InsurTech vertical, investing across the continent with sector specialization closely mirroring Fin+Tech's focus areas.
• Plug and Play Fintech: Plug and Play operates a global fintech vertical accelerator with extensive corporate partnerships (banks, insurers, payment networks) across the US, Europe, and Asia. Comparable as a large-scale, partner-driven fintech accelerator.

Others

• ItaliaFintech: ItaliaFintech is the Italian fintech industry association and ecosystem partner of Fin+Tech. Not a direct accelerator but a key ecosystem orchestrator shaping the same founder community in Italy.

Regional players

• Barclays Rise: Barclays Rise is a UK-headquartered fintech accelerator and innovation hub with global locations, offering programs comparable to Fin+Tech's. Strong regional competitor in Europe though operating outside Italy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/finplustech
• Xx.com/finplustech

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments11 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fin+Tech