FAQ

Partnership opportunities with potential clients and partners across Visa’s global network
Market access and potential client base
Masterclasses, design sprints, PoC and pilot support and peer to peer gatherings for practical knowledge exchange
Diverse mentor network involving Visa, Eleven, Hackquarters and our community partners Endeavor, Finnovating, Portugal Fintech Association, Talent Garden as well as global fintech industry luminaries and bank experts
Access to global VCs and angel investors
Networking and exposure to international events and conferences
Latest APIs from Visa Developers Platform to supercharge your product
Investment opportunity by Eleven, considered on a case-by-case basis.

The whole program continues for about 6 months.

Pre-program phase
The Selection Jury will review your application to get acquainted with your product / solution and team, and will evaluate potential matches with Visa/Visa Clients. It will also do an active scouting to find prospective candidates. In case initial fit is identified, you might be invited to an interview – the main objective is to validate your interest in participating in the Program and examine the mutual interest for further collaboration throughout the Program Core Phase.

Core program phase (3 + 3)
Main course (up to 3 months)

During the Main course of the Program (up to 3 months; non-residential), you will enter a carefully crafted bunch of workshops, mentoring sessions, networking and design sprints, anchoring Visa’s design thinking methodology and will work to elevate your business model to better fit the defined market challenges. The Program’s objective is to have you at a perfect shape and ready to examine future pilot opportunities with Visa/ Visa Clients with your product/solution being integrated into their offering.

PoC Support (up to 3 months)

After the Main course, you will be entering in the PoC Support phase (another 3 months), where the Program mentors in residence will guide you to approach the proof-of-concept (PoC) phase faster. You will be working side by side with experienced entrepreneurs who will help you to navigate with speed and ease the enterprise environment.

Post-program engagement
After the end of the Core program, you might be selected by Visa/Visa Client to launch a pilot. No matter the outcome, you will become part of our Visa Innovation Program family where we will further engage your team in community activities, bringing many business opportunities and fellow entrepreneurs for mutual support.

Since the program is non-residential and does not require your team’s presence daily, we do not offer free coworking space.
Nevertheless, we have partners in our Program Hubs who could offer discounted prices for their coworking services.

No. We can’t offer any accommodation options for the participants.
Still, we may recommend some trusted service providers for finding long-term or short-term accommodation.

Not as part of the program. Eleven may optionally invest in companies that are seeking financing and are the right fit for Eleven. Other than that, there is a VC panel, consisting of some of the most prominent investors from Europe, who you’ll have a chance to meet and pitch to.

No. We take no equity in the participating startups. Eleven may offer an investment to companies that are raising a financing round on a case-by-case basis.

We do strongly believe that a capable team is what makes or breaks a successful startup company. Thus, we are looking for teams with diverse skillset, market expertise and entrepreneurial spirit.

The program is completely free of charge for the participating companies and there is NO fee or equity stakeholding associated with taking part in the activities.

They are available here.

The activities associated with the Visa Innovation Program take place primarily online and in our Program Hubs in Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Turkey, Spain, Italy or Portugal.

Startups and scale ups having a market-tested solution
An experienced team with an entrepreneurial spirit
A solution addressing one of our ‘areas to reinvent
Committed and dedicated founders, ready to lead future pilot-centred project

The Visa Innovation Program is a collaborative initiative between Visa, Eleven and Hackquarters and our local community partners – Endeavor (for Greece, Cyprus and Malta), Finnovating (for Spain), Portugal Fintech Association (for Portugal) and Talent Garden (for Italy).

As a general rule, we believe the most successful startups will be easily scalable and can target global markets. In the beginning, you may be piloting with national clients, but we are looking for global growth ambition.

No, the Visa Innovation Program does not provide any monetary prizes or grants to the participants. However, selected participants may have the opportunity to collaborate with Visa on future projects and may receive other non-monetary benefits such as mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to Visa’s technologies and resources. The program is designed to foster innovation in the payments industry and help startups grow and scale their businesses.

You could reach us via LinkedIn and Email.

Visa Innovation Program Europe offers a comprehensive suite of resources and opportunities to help accelerate your company’s growth:

PoC & Partnership Opportunities: Get the opportunity to test your solutions in real-world environments, collaborate directly with Visa and its partners, and receive feedback to refine your products and services.
Mentorship: Gain insights from a diverse mentor network, including experts from Visa, Eleven, Hackquarters by Tenity, and our local partners, as well as leading figures in the global fintech industry and banking sectors.
Region-Wide Market Access: Take the opportunity to expand into new markets through the Visa Innovation Program Europe, which will help you reach potential clients and create collaborations in desired regions.
Funding Opportunities: Connect with global VCs and angel investors for potential funding opportunities.
Showcasing: Showcase your product in front of the Visa’s global network during key Program milestone events.
Vibrant Network: Increase your exposure by being part of international events and conferences.
Tech Stack: Leverage the latest APIs from the Visa Developers Platform to enhance your product.
Learning & Development: Benefit from masterclasses, webinars, design sprints, PoC and pilot support, and peer-to-peer gatherings for practical knowledge exchange.

The program itself spans 6 months. However, with the selection process, initial onboarding, and closing events it can take up to 8 months.

Program Kickoff:

The journey begins with a Kickoff event, where you’ll be introduced to the program structure, mentors, and fellow participants, setting the stage for the months ahead.

Discovery Sessions:

On the first day of the program, we conduct Discovery Sessions where our team works closely with you to understand your startup, product, and specific needs. These sessions allow us to tailor our support and create a personalized action plan that aligns with your acceleration journey, ensuring your goals are met effectively.

1-on-1 Meetings:

To ensure consistent progress, we hold weekly 1-on-1 meetings. These meetings track your progress, address any challenges, and provide ongoing support throughout your journey.

Trainings & Workshops:

Throughout the program, you’ll engage in a series of workshops and trainings focused on design thinking, business model optimization, and market fit. These sessions are designed to refine your product and prepare it for market challenges.

Mentorships:

You’ll have continuous access to a diverse network of mentors, including industry experts, experienced entrepreneurs, and Visa partners. This mentorship will guide your product development, business strategy, and potential collaborations.

Partnership Opportunities and Product Validation:

The program provides opportunities to explore potential partnerships with Visa and other corporate partners. By leveraging introductions and connections within Visa’s network, you’ll have the chance to validate your solution for real-world use cases, preparing it for potential integration with Visa’s clients. While the program facilitates introductions and fosters collaborations, developing a formal Proof of Concept (PoC) may vary depending on the individual company and its partnership readiness.

Summit Day:

After 6 months, you’ll have the opportunity to showcase your progress during Summit Day, where you can present your product to potential clients, investors, and industry leaders. This event also offers valuable networking opportunities with key stakeholders.

Post-Program Engagement:

You’ll continue to be part of the Visa Innovation Program Europe community, with ongoing access to business opportunities, networking events, and support from fellow alumni.

The Visa Innovation Program Europe primarily operates online, with in-person activities also hosted at our Program Hubs in Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Türkiye, Spain, Italy, and Portugal.

While we are focused on companies operating in or aiming to operate in Southern Europe (Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Türkiye, Spain, Italy, and Portugal), the program accepts startups from any country. Additionally, we have included startups from outside these listed countries that have goals to work within the regions covered by our Program Hubs.

The program is non-residential and does not require your team to be present daily, therefore co-working spaces are not provided. However, we can assist you in connecting with co-working spaces through our Program Hubs, offering support to facilitate your arrangements if needed.

While the program itself does not offer direct funding, our program partners can provide support through various avenues. You will have the opportunity to connect with venture capitalists, funds, and investors facilitated by the program. This can help you explore potential funding opportunities and pitch your business to relevant stakeholders.

No, we do not take any equity in participating startups, nor do we charge a program fee.

We believe that a capable team is crucial for a successful startup. While solo founders can apply, having a team with diverse skills and market expertise is advantageous.

The Visa Innovation Program welcomes startups and scale-ups that meet the below criteria. We are looking for companies with proven solutions and a strong potential for impact. Here’s what we value:

Market-Tested Solution: Startups and scale-ups must have a product with demonstrated sales.
Benefit to Visa’s Network: Solutions that offer value to Visa’s network are preferred.
Use Case and Collaboration: The ability to present potential use cases and collaboration opportunities with Visa’s network enhances your application.
Experienced Team: Teams should possess an entrepreneurial spirit and relevant market expertise.
Alignment with Focus Areas: Solutions should address one of our key focus areas.
Commitment to Pilot Projects: Founders should be dedicated and ready to lead pilot-centered projects.

After you submit your application, we typically reach out within 2-4 weeks. If your startup is eligible for the program, we will invite you to participate in an interview as the next step in the selection process.

Yes, you can re-apply to the Visa Innovation Program Europe. We have previously accepted startups that were rejected during previous years. Each application is reviewed on its own merits, and improvements made since the last submission are considered.

Upon submission, you will receive an automatic confirmation email from our system. If you did not receive this confirmation or if you have any concerns about your application, please contact us through the provided contact form on our website.

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