Innovation in fintech rarely happens in isolation. It emerges where talent, technology, and opportunity intersect-and this year, that intersection took shape in Athens.
The Visa Innovation Program Europe (VIPE) 2025 Summit brought together founders, partners, investors, and ecosystem leaders to celebrate a new cohort of fintech companies from Greece, Cyprus, and Malta. Now in its seventh year, VIPE continues to evolve beyond an innovation program into a pan-European platform where ambitious ideas are tested, refined, and scaled through Visa’s global network, technology, and expertise.
From Ideas to Impact: A Pan-European Journey
The 2025 program cycle reflected the growing momentum of fintech innovation across Europe. 229 applications from 39 countries were submitted across participating markets, with 45 applications coming from Greece, Cyprus, and Malta alone. Following a highly competitive selection process, 12 fintechs advanced to the final stage, and six were selected to join the program.
What united this year’s cohort was not just technological excellence, but a shared focus on solving real-world challenges. Throughout the program, participants explored themes shaping the future of financial services-from artificial intelligence and next-generation payment experiences, to embedded finance, capital movement, and the creation of a more sustainable and inclusive financial ecosystem.
A Year of Milestones and Meaningful Progress
The 2025 cycle marked several defining moments for VIPE and its participants. One of the most notable was the continued growth of Wamo, a graduate of the VIPE Greece, Cyprus & Malta program, which expanded its banking services into Italy-demonstrating how participation in the program can translate into tangible, cross-border growth.
This year also introduced the first AI Hackathon in the history of the program. Fintech teams worked side by side with Visa mentors and leading technology experts to design and develop AI-powered solutions, transforming concepts into prototypes with real market potential.
Beyond workshops and mentoring sessions, the program focused on practical execution. Participating companies received tailored support, including integration with Visa Developer Center APIs, refinement of their commercial propositions, and the development of advanced product features such as expense management and operational tools. These efforts culminated in the creation of four new commercial partnerships, reinforcing VIPE’s role as a bridge between innovation and market adoption.
Meet the 2025 VIPE Graduates
Greece, Cyprus & Malta
Each fintech in the 2025 cohort brought a distinct perspective on how financial services can be improved, simplified, or reimagined:
Ask Wire (Cyprus) empowers banks, insurers, and investors with a smart real-estate data intelligence platform that combines financial, geospatial, and market insights.
Bank Universe (Greece) delivers a cloud-based banking aggregation platform that helps financial institutions streamline product access while deepening customer engagement.
Binderr (Cyprus) simplifies corporate life through a digital business management platform that automates company incorporation, compliance, and governance.
Complytek.ai (Cyprus) leverages artificial intelligence to transform regulatory compliance, offering automated AML, KYC, and monitoring solutions.
ShareID (France) redefines digital identity verification with a privacy-first approach, enabling instant validation without storing sensitive personal data.
Travelr (Greece) uses AI to optimize travel and expense management, helping SMEs and large enterprises control costs and improve efficiency.
Together, these companies represent a new generation of fintech innovation—globally ambitious, technologically advanced, and deeply connected to market needs.
An Ecosystem Built for Scale
Since its launch in 2018, the Visa Innovation Program Europe has grown into a truly pan-European initiative. Today, it operates in **seven countries-**Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Turkey-and has recently expanded into eight additional Nordic and Baltic markets, bringing its total presence to 15 European markets.
Over the years, VIPE has received 1,706 applications, with more than 142 fintechs selected to participate. These companies have benefited from 1,500+ hours of mentoring, 600+ commercial introductions, and over 110 successful partnerships, highlighting the program’s sustained impact on the European fintech ecosystem.
In Greece, Cyprus, and Malta, VIPE is implemented in close collaboration with Eleven Ventures and Endeavor Greece, offering founders not only technical and commercial guidance but also access to a broader entrepreneurial community and long-term growth opportunities.
Voices from the Ecosystem
Giannis Mastrogiorgiou, Special Secretary for Long-Term Planning at the Presidency of the Hellenic Government, commented:
“An excellent event and an extremely valuable discussion. In a world that is changing daily through the exponential progress of technology and artificial intelligence, we need foresight logic and tools more than ever. The future may not be predicted, but it can be prepared through the right choices and alternatives.”
Sevi Vassileva, General Manager of Visa for Greece, Cyprus, Malta, and Israel, stated:
“This year’s program once again demonstrates how powerful collaboration and innovation can be when nurtured within the right ecosystem. Across our regional and European network, the Visa Innovation Program Europe continues to empower the next generation of fintech solutions—from AI-driven compliance technology to embedded finance and digital identity. In Greece, Cyprus, and Malta, we are proud to work closely with founders who are building technology that improves how people and businesses manage their money every day.”
Daniel Tomov, Founding Partner at Eleven Ventures, added:
“The Visa Innovation Program Europe was created not only to act as a catalyst, but as a place where real entrepreneurship is built. Providing founders with direct access to Visa’s network and deep operational support does more than enable collaboration—it actively drives investments and strategic M&A opportunities.”
Panagiotis Karampinis, Managing Director of Endeavor Greece, commented:
“The Visa Innovation Program Europe has become one of the most effective platforms for advancing fintech innovation across the region. Through our collaboration with Visa and Eleven Ventures, we help the most promising fintech founders move beyond product innovation toward international commercial scale.”