Rainmaking Colab kicks up a storm for fintech innovation
“Mature fintech markets like New York and London are starting to experience ‘accelerator fatigue’”
Rainmaking Colab is looking to make its new model of innovation reign via a theme-based fintech programme that taps into mature markets.
Created by the founders of Rainmaking and Startupbootcamp FinTech, they say “mature fintech markets like New York and London are starting to experience ‘accelerator fatigue’ and require a new way of thinking to engage with the start-up ecosystem”.
The lab will connect post-seed start-ups with technology and business models, to people within organisations who are ready for commercial arrangements.
Nektarios Liolios, Startupbootcamp FinTech co-founder and partner at Rainmaking, will serve as the programme’s CEO. Helene Panzarino, entrepreneur and former commercial banker, joins as the programme’s MD.
Liolios, aka a “fintech fossil” (their words!), says the lab is “not a matching service” but will act “within a set theme”.
So, how does Rainmaking Colab work?
- It runs in waves throughout the year with each cycle targeting a different industry theme. This allows the partners and start-ups to “tackle specific industry problems of most importance to them”.
- Focused themes allow for “deeper insights into specific sectors”. Areas that might be explored include: capital markets; regulation; artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning.
- It is designed for mature markets “because that’s where the corporates with the capability and experience, ready to work with start-ups, are based”
The lab is supported by various banks and firms, including Lloyds, Mastercard, Rabobank and Santander, as well as Addleshaw Goddard (UK) and WilmerHale (US) as the programme’s legal partners.
Rainmaking runs start-ups and projects in over 40 countries, and every year it says it facilitates 1,250+ start-up events.
