Sberbank CZ launches Sberbank Business Accelerator with DEX Innovation Centre

"We are looking for the best startups which offer or work on innovative solutions applicable in banking, or on suitable solutions that can complement the existing banking ecosystem. We are interested in cooperation in areas like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockchain, Open Banking, Digitalization of banking, Buy Now Pay Late solutions, and others," says Martin Breyl, Head of Product Development, Sberbank CZ. Startups can submit their applications for the program already via the website.

The Sberbank Business Accelerator program is divided into several phases:

1.  Search for startups interested in cooperation - February to April 2022;

2.  Launching cooperation with selected startups - May to August 2022;

3.  Presentation of possible innovative solutions - by the end of August 2022;

4.  Selection of several potential solutions and their pilot - September to November 2022;

5.  Presentation of the program results and decision on implementation of innovations in Sberbank's products and services - by the end of 2022.

Sberbank CZ offers fintech companies participating in the program access to the banking sector and to the behavioral data of Sberbank CZ customers. The accelerator program will provide selected startups with support and collaboration with an extensive international mentor pool of experienced business mentors from Sberbank CZ, DEX Innovation Center, and VISA Payments. Throughout the program, expert and mentoring sessions will be organized for the startups by an aggregated mentor pool of partners. Startups accepted into the acceleration program will also receive individual support in the form of a business tracker, tailored mentoring, assistance with team preparation for the pilot implementation at Sberbank CZ, and other benefits.

"The acceleration program runs virtually for 3 months. The team of the cooperating startup will get its own Tracker who will guide it through the entire acceleration program. The main goal is to prepare this team and its fintech solution for possible pilot implementation in Sberbank. During the mentoring, the participants will receive expert support in the areas of technology, product, business, market, and other topics," explains Michal Štefan, Sberbank Business Accelerator Program Manager from DEX Innovation Centre.

Sberbank CZ will launch pilot cooperation with selected startups that will offer the most successful fintech solutions based on the pre-approved plan. The results from pilots implemented and the best startup teams from the accelerator program will be presented at the final public DEMODAY, which is planned for December 2022.

DEX Innovation Centre (DEX IC) is a private innovation hub, the fastest growing in the country. It focuses its activities on improving life and society through digital innovation, research and technology. DEX-IC raises capital for innovative projects and products for the future in transport, energy, healthcare, and ICT. It helps to build start-ups and educates students and pupils. In its 10 years of existence, the DEX-IC team has organized several own industry accelerators, runs a virtual incubator for start-ups, and owns a technology workshop, called μFablab. DEX-IC is a partner of the European networking initiatives EIT InnoEnergy and EIT Health. Read more here: https://dex-ic.com/  

Sberbank CZ focuses its financial products and services on retail clients, small and medium-sized enterprises, and large companies. Its core value is the highest possible client satisfaction. It prides itself on a fair approach and friendly service. Within corporate banking, Sberbank CZ has a strong position in foreign exchange operations, structured and export financing, in addition to offering regular banking products. Sberbank CZ has been operating on the Czech market since 1993, since 1 January 1997 as an independent joint-stock company. Its majority owner is Sberbank Europe AG, headquartered in Vienna.