By Partner
The Center for Financial Inclusion (CFI) has announced the fourth cohort of the global Inclusive Fintech 50 (IF50) competition, which recognizes 50 early-stage, inclusive fintechs that aim to advance financial inclusion. IF50 is sponsored by Visa, MetLife Foundation, and Jersey Overseas Aid & Comic Relief, with support from Accion and IFC. The 2022 winners exemplify the power of fintech to reach underserved individuals and businesses with products and services designed to meet consumers’ needs, preferences, and resources.
The 2022 winners were selected from a pool of 257 eligible applicants with headquarters in 79 countries, with Sub-Saharan Africa representing 40 percent of candidates. The winning startups represent a range of product categories, including credit, digital financial infrastructure, insurance, savings and personal financial management, and payments and remittances. Credit remains the most common type of product offering, with 32 per cent of applicants offering a credit solution. The digital financial services infrastructure category displayed the most growth, increasing from 16 per cent of applicants in 2021 to 23 per cent in 2022.
An independent panel of 35 expert judges with expertise in venture capital, technology, and financial services evaluated the applicants based on their inclusivity, innovation, traction, and scale potential.
The IF50 competition offers winning startup fintechs exposure among investors and media, and provides access to exclusive networking activities, the opportunity to pitch their innovations, and connections to expert support and training provided by IF50 sponsors and supporters. IF50 winners from the past three years have collectively increased their funding by US$620 million in the year following their win. This year’s IF50 winners will also gain exposure during CFI’s Financial Inclusion Week event, running virtually October 17-20. Winners will be announced by category throughout the week, culminating in a global plenary session discussing insights from this year’s competition.
Visa, an IF50 sponsor, provides winners access to Practical Money Skills and Practical Business Skills, digital platforms created by Visa to empower individuals and micro and small businesses with financial and business knowledge needed to manage and grow. These tools, together with the networking and publicity that IF50 provides, serve as an invaluable opportunity for startups at the earliest stages of their journeys.
“With the world experiencing an accelerated rate of digitalization over the past few years, opportunities for fintechs to serve vulnerable individuals and businesses have significantly increased. Digital payments and remittances, for example, are expanding to new geographies and clientele, positively impacting the financial health of the underserved. As a founding sponsor of IF50, we are delighted to showcase the fintechs that are innovating new ways to reach more people by putting social impact at the core of their product and service offerings.”
Vice President, Social Impact – Inclusive Growth, Visa Inc, Chiagozie Nwabuebo quipped: “MetLife Foundation is committed to ensuring global communities have what they need to adapt to their changing world. After four years of supporting Inclusive Fintech 50, we are inspired by early-stage social entrepreneurs who are committed to creating innovative and scalable solutions aimed at boosting the financial health and resilience for low- and moderate-income communities.”
Head of Corporate Giving & Employee Volunteerism at MetLife and President CEO of the MetLife Foundation, Tia Hodges said: “In today’s rapidly changing technological landscape, there are so many opportunities to find new ways to eradicate poverty and promote economic growth by bringing basic financial services to marginalised people. JOA is thrilled to play a role in showcasing these impressive fintech start-ups which are developing innovative technological solutions that tackle exclusion and inequality head on.”
Jersey’s Minister for International Development, Deputy Carolyn Labey offered: “Financial products and services are critical to building the resilience of low-income households and micro and small enterprises facing economic instability and increased environmental risk. The winners of the 2022 Inclusive Fintech 50 competition are committed to offering inclusive and impactful products to meet these pressing needs. CFI is delighted to host this competition and to introduce the fourth cohort of IF50.”
