(September 26th, Paris) FINE - Fintech Investor Network and Ecosystem is a new project funded by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency of the European Commission. The project had its official kick-off meeting in Paris (France) at the project’s coordinators headquarters, Finance Innovation, on September 20 and 21, which allowed the consortium partners to set up the two-year action plan.

The project goal is to build stronger connections among fintech networks, both locally and internationally. It will be achieved by encouraging investors to collaborate and invest together in fintech startups. This approach creates a more vibrant investment environment, fosters innovation, and helps companies grow across borders.

FINE will map important ecosystem players in selected countries, spanning both advanced and emerging fintech landscapes. This effort aims to build a KnowledgeBase featuring relevant data for investors, such as key stakeholders, regulatory structures, and current news articles highlighting local investment trends and opportunities.

Throughout the project, the Investor Academy will be created to provide online educational resources to empower all types of investors, including newcomers, young investors, women, and minorities, to learn about fintech investments. Furthermore, the Fintech Ambassador Network will be set up with experts who support international investments and offer insights to local and foreign players. Through Community Building, FINE will actively connect investors and local networks through matchmaking, events, workshops, webinars, and more.

The project’s consortium is composed of eight partners with extensive experience in emerging landscapes for fintechs and startups from six European countries: Paris Europlace-Finance Innovation (FR), F6S Network (IE), CrowdfundingHub (NL), AcrossLimits (MT), Impulse4Women (ES), The Fintech Corridor Company (IE), Asociatia Romana de Fintech (RO), and Truffle Capital (FR).