Early-Stage Fintech Pilot Project Working Session

Join us for a working session about how to develop and launch a pilot project with a community bank or credit union If you're thinking of starting a community bank/CU-oriented fintech company or have one with fewer than ten customers, this event is for you!

About the Event

Developing / launching a pilot project with a financial institution can often unlock sales and investor success for your startup. But how can you get this—especially in the decentralized ecosystem of community banks and credit unions?

In this session, we'll first give an overview of community banks and credit unions, focusing on which ones are the right ones for your startup. Who's investing in innovation, who has a problem that's a good for for your solution, and who is reachable within our network? Then we'll discuss the essentials for articulating your value proposition and developing an effective outreach / engagement strategy.

The remainder of the session will be focused on the startups in the room. Founders will have the opportunity to discuss their specific targets, strategies, challenges, and opportunities; receive practical feedback; and work through approaches for initiating and advancing conversations with potential financial-institution partners.

The emphasis will be on finding and engaging the right targets. Developing a formal proposal or prospectus is absolutely important, but it is secondary to understanding whom you should be talking to, why they could be a good fit, and how to effectively engage them.

Who Should Attend

Early-stage and aspiring FI-oriented fintech founders who are considering, developing, or actively pursuing a pilot or partnership with a community bank or credit union. If your startup does later-stage fintech (raised over $5M and/or acquired your first 10 FI customers) or fintech unrelated to community banks/credit unions (eg, crypto or payment processors for various industries), this event is not for you.

About the North American Fintech Coalition

We're early-stage startups, financial industry professionals, mentors, and investors working to bring promising emerging tech to locally owned community banks and credit unions. We're focused on launching pilot projects with community banks and credit unions early in the product development process, when customer feedback can have the most impact. Check us out at namfintech.org.

Transportation

There's easy access via the Link light rail (U District station) and bus lines. Street parking is limited to two hours, and parking in the university lots is expensive. Discount parking is available at Lot W41 on the map below for $5 hourly or $22 for the day if you contact us at least 2 days before the event. If you're interested, please contact Patrick Reeves at [email protected].