We are shaping the future of finance
Banking and finance are changing rapidly, and we are looking for startups that will help our partners create innovative services, improve customer experience, and support digital transformation. If you are developing a fintech related solution, this program is for you.
Our business partners:
Grow your fintech with the StartSmart CEE Acceleration Program
Fintech is changing the way people and businesses use financial services.
In our Acceleration Program, we are looking for startups that develop solutions that enrich the offerings of banks and insurers, streamline digital customer service, automate internal processes, and introduce new value-added services for individual and business customers.
During the Program, you will work with leading financial institutions to create a proof of concept and test your idea in a real business environment.
You will also gain access to experts in the field of regulation and compliance, R&D support, industry mentors, and a network of contacts that will help you scale your solution and acquire your first corporate customer.
Why join our Fintech Acceleration Program?
Work alongside business professionals and industry experts. Get marketing, business, and tech insights and advice and leverage it to scale your business faster.
Leverage your partner’s vast resources to test how your innovation performs in a real business scenario.
Get access to financial and banking data provided by program partners. Use it to test, optimize, and improve your fintech solution.
Tap into your corporate partner’s R&D resources and get the support you need to speed up the development of your solution.
Work alongside the biggest names in your industry. “Borrow” their brand credibility and build a trustworthy brand even before your product hits the market.
Join a StartSmart CEE Startup Acceleration Program, access a wealth of resources, and grow your startup while keeping 100% ownership over your startup.
Receive funding for testing and technology development, in partnership with our corporate sponsors. *This grant is available for a limited number of startups meeting the formal requirements.
Get a chance to get your first high-value client even before you finish the accelerator.
Our Corporate Partners
PKO Bank Polski
PKO Bank Polski is the largest bank in Poland and one of the most recognizable financial institutions in the region, with over 100 years of tradition. It provides financial services to more than 12 million individual, business, corporate, and local government customers.
Thanks to its award-winning IKO mobile application, PKO is the most mobile bank in Poland, handling over 30 transactions every second.
Since 2015, PKO Bank Polski has been actively involved in developing the local ecosystem of innovative technology companies. Through collaboration, startups can benefit from paid pilot projects and the support of a dedicated team of experts, ensuring their solutions meet the real business needs of a leading financial institution.
As part of its innovation agenda, PKO Bank Polski is looking for startups that can bring value across different areas of banking and beyond.
Who should apply?
There are already thousands of startups operating in the fintech market. What makes your solution stand out from others in the field of finance and banking?
Your solution should address one of the key challenges of our partners – from new customer services, through process automation, to green transformation.
To be accepted into the program, your project should show initial signs of market traction or at least have a working, testable prototype.
You are ready to bring your solution to market by partnering with a financial institution under a commercialization agreement.
Recruitment is closed!
Recruitment for the Spring 2025 edition is closed, subscribe to our newsletter to get notified about the start of the next Acceleration and other opportunities.
Help our partners develop innovations in finance
Fintech is one of the fastest growing areas today – key to building customer trust, increasing service availability, and improving process efficiency in banking.
At StartSmart CEE (formerly MIT Enterprise Forum CEE), we work with major financial institutions that are looking for startups ready to solve their most important challenges.
If your idea can enrich the offerings of banks and insurers, streamline digital customer service, automate processes, or support green transformation, apply today to the only MIT-affiliated accelerator program in the region.
Application Guide
Discover all you need to know to join one of our Accelerator Programs. Learn about the exact requirements to apply, and find key dates and documents that you need to prepare. Begin the application process, join the academy, and get ready to learn and scale!
Rules & Regulations
Learn the rules and regulations of the StartSmart CEE (formerly MIT Enterprise Forum CEE) Startup Accelerator Programs. Find out if your startup would meet the formal criteria and is eligible to apply.
Check out our success stories
Build the future of financial services in the StartSmart CEE Acceleration Program
Years of experience and 300 success stories have taught us a lot about scaling startups.
Apply today to one of our Acceleration Programs, let us help you scale yours, and become our next success story!