Bangkok Bank launches 12-week international fintech accelerator programme

The programme will commence in June 2017.

Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited (Bangkok Bank) is announcing its international FinTech accelerator programme, Bangkok Bank InnoHub, in partnership with corporate innovation partner, Nest. The 12-week intensive and world-class programme will take place in the bank’s home market of Bangkok, Thailand. 

Over the course of the 12-week program, Bangkok Bank, in partnership with Nest, will work with up to eight early-stage companies that are looking to accelerate their growth with the support of a leading financial institution.

Bangkok Bank President Chartsiri Sophonpanich said the Bangkok Bank InnoHub program will give local startups an opportunity to expand regionally and internationally while offering global startups an opportunity to collaborate with Thai and ASEAN communities.

“Under the overall theme of Inspiring Change, we believe InnoHub will tie in well with the Thai government’s 4.0 policy to build a more innovative, value-added and service-orientated economy. For Bangkok Bank there is the potential to adopt new technologies to further the development of innovative services and experiences for our customers, and in partnership with Nest we will source and select startups that have strong relevance to our business.”

Founders selected to join the programme will gain unique access to Bangkok Bank and Nest’s global network of specialists in technology adoption, who will offer strategic advice to help prepare them for a potential pilot project or integration with the bank. Supplementary curricula, delivered by a team of innovation experts at Nest, and dedicated mentors in the program will also help startups gain ground on their individual objectives.

Bangkok Bank InnoHub will give the bank’s new venture capital company, Bualuang Ventures, the opportunity to explore investment opportunities with some of the world’s most innovative financial technology companies.

Bualuang Ventures is a venture capital subsidiary of Bangkok Bank focused on investment in SMEs and startup companies with high growth potential. In this program, Bualuang Ventures will explore the investment opportunity with the FinTech startups from all over the world. In addition, Dr. Panukorn Chantaraprapab and the Bualuang Ventures team will also provide consultation and advisory to prepare InnoHub participants for their follow-on investment opportunities.

The programme, which is now accepting applications, will commence in June 2017 and take place at Bangkok Bank’s unique innovation facility in the heart of the city. Whilst Bangkok Bank and Nest welcome applications from all FinTech startups, the content and opportunities presented over the 12-week period will particularly benefit early-stage companies developing technologies for payments, electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC), machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI). The global call out for founders is also geared towards companies with technologies that have direct relevance to the Thai market, or potential for adoption in the ASEAN market.

Nest CEO Mr. Lawrence Morgan added: “Thailand’s startup ecosystem is going through an exciting period of intense growth and change. We are excited to partner with Bangkok Bank to build further momentum and deliver value for Thailand and the greater region. For the companies selected for this program, our aim is to not only give them access to opportunities domestically in Thailand, but also to create a hub for early-stage companies looking to gain traction in other ASEAN markets, thereby positioning Thailand as a gateway into ASEAN.” Nest has successfully run similar programs with major corporates in Hong Kong, Singapore and Nairobi.

The programme is open to FinTech founders of all nationalities, aged 18 and over. Applications will open on 16 March 2017 and close on 10 May 2017. The programme will conclude in a Demo Day in September 2017, an event where the selected startups will pitch their business to Thailand and ASEAN’s investment community in a bid to secure funding and partnerships.