The application window is closed for the third edition of the Fintech Awards Luxembourg, powered by KPMG Luxembourg and the LHoFT. An impressive array of startups in the financial technology sector has entered the competition in hopes of taking home one of the top prizes.

The joint organisers of the Awards report 192 applicants coming from 41 countries. This figure shows continuing interest from startups: last year’s competition drew when 167 entrants from 46 countries. The quality of the candidates continues to define Luxembourg as a leading fintech and innovation hub, and KPMG as an innovative and international company.

“We’re extremely pleased with the success of the Awards,” commented Georges Bock, founding partner of the event and Head of Tax with KPMG. “This year, the international reach of the Awards continues to extend, with applicants from Korea (3), Singapore (7), and Israel (15) joining those from Luxembourg (27), France (18), and Germany (10). With results like these, KPMG and the LHoFT can be proud of their hard work promoting the event in addition to being hugely thankful for the support of the partners who have helped us develop this project further and further.”

The diversity of the candidates’ origins matches that of their sectors, which include banking (16), big data / data analytics (17), lending (18), and investment management (19). Worth noting is the strong representation of payment (27) and regtech (25) applicants.

Pascal Denis, Head of Advisory at KPMG, will chair the panel of judges at the Awards, which take place on 20 June 2018. “Regtech remains the most popular category of participants, likely because Luxembourg is where many compliance activities are centred due to its unique landscape of cross-border expertise. Indeed, investment funds and banks have relays in several countries, which entails a rather high regulatory complexity. Other segments such as artificial intelligence and blockchain also stand out among the fintechs registered which is an encouraging sign for Luxembourg. We are able to attract the next generation of disrupters” commented Mr Denis.

A new prize this year awards financial inclusion. It has been extremely well received within the startup community with many eligible applicants for it.

“I am incredibly impressed by the high calibre firms that have applied to be part of the awards this year; a testimony to the growing interest in the Fintech ecosystem in Luxembourg. There are some really strong applications within the area of Regtech and Fundtech, and I am excited to see the quality of firms from the field of financial inclusion. The final will be even more exciting this year than ever, and I am confident that the Luxembourg community will be very interested to connect and hear from the finalists”. Nasir Zubairi, CEO of the Luxembourg House of Financial Technology (the LHoFT).

The names of the jury members will be released soon, as will the names of the 15 candidates chosen to participate in the Grand Final on 20 June.

The LHoFT and KPMG Luxembourg extend warm thanks to gold sponsor, State Street, as well as to partners Digital Lëtzebuerg, the Luxembourg ICT Cluster, LuxInnovation, and Maison Moderne.

[colored_box color=”blue”]For more information, please visit the official site of the Awards at www.fintechawards.lu or contact Geneviève Feyt, press and media officer @KPMG Luxembourg (genevieve.feyt@kpmg.lu, +352 22 51 51 2903, +352 621 87 2903). [/colored_box]