Dhaka: Visa, a global leader in digital payments, has rolled out the fourth edition of its Visa Accelerator program, inviting applications from Bangladeshi fintech and growth-stage startups.
The application window for the accelerator program will remain open until March 8. The chosen startups will be part of the program from May to November this year, concluding with Demo Day.
This initiative aims to foster the growth of Bangladeshi startups by leveraging the expertise of Visa payment professionals. The focus of this year's edition will revolve around Artificial Intelligence (AI), Global Money Movement, Loyalty of the Future, Digital Acceptance for Micro, Small, and Medium Businesses (MSMBs), and Embedded Finance.
Soumya Basu, Country Manager for Visa Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal, expressed delight in welcoming innovative payment-related ideas to the Visa Accelerator Program. The collaboration with Visa is expected to enhance the startups' capabilities, providing them with the opportunity to work alongside subject matter experts, testing their solutions for real-world applications. Such opportunities are anticipated to contribute to the smooth growth of startups in alignment with Visa's mission to establish a seamless and secure global payment system.
Tailored for companies in the expansion phase, the program will focus on proof of concept, offering product solutions to sector-specific challenges and expediting the commercialization of products. The initiative will also create partnership opportunities to accelerate startup growth, addressing challenges specific to the payments ecosystem sector in the Asia-Pacific region. The program provides startups with the chance to develop and test new solutions while utilizing Visa's extensive network, including financial institutions, merchants, and digital partners, to assess the market viability of their innovations.
Launched in 2020, the Visa Accelerator Program continues its support for advanced startups, providing access to seasoned mentors, cutting-edge technology, and diverse investment opportunities.