The DMZ wins at the 2017 Fintech and AI Awards for the second year in a row
Toronto, November 30, 2017 – For the second year in a row, the DMZ was awarded ‘Accelerator/Incubator of the Year’ at the Digital Finance Institute’s 2017 Fintech and AI Awards.
The award recognizes organizations that demonstrate success in helping fintech and AI startups scale their businesses and work with various stakeholders to develop innovative products or opportunities that have an impact in the financial services sector.
“Canada is home to such an exciting mix of innovative startups, many of which we are proud to support through the growth we provide at the DMZ,” said Hussam Ayyad, senior director, programs and partnerships, DMZ at Toronto Metropolitan University. “In such a competitive market, recognition from The Digital Finance Institute gives us a distinct advantage in attracting key talent and partners to help fuel the success of fintech and AI innovations of the future.”
Over the past year, the DMZ has significantly impacted the Canadian fintech ecosystem. Some of these milestones include launching their second national fintech accelerator program; providing the opportunity for five Canadian fintechs to have a proof-of-concept partnership with BMO Financial Group; accelerating the growth of over 20 fintech startups with over 110 investor and customer connections; and sharing the DMZ accelerator model with emerging fintech ecosystems across the country.
“Over the past few years, the DMZ has found creative ways for various players in the financial technology sector to collaborate rather than compete,” said Abdullah Snobar, executive director, DMZ. “We hope that our efforts will spur deeper innovation and continue to foster partnerships in the fintech ecosystem to ensure Canada remains at the forefront of change and maintains its role as an international financial hub.”
Since opening its doors in April 2010, the DMZ has incubated 312 startups that have raised $391 million in seed funding and have fostered the creation of more than 2,960 jobs by connecting them with customers, capital, coaches and a community of innovators.
Although younger than some of its incubator-accelerator peers, the DMZ continues to attract Canada’s top startups through best-in-class programming, partnerships and services and support the country’s most successful fintech scaleups.
In 2018, the DMZ will continue to support innovation in financial services by taking a number of fintech startups on a US Roadshow to meet with customers, investors and potential partners in New York City, Boston and Silicon Valley.
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About the DMZ at Toronto Metropolitan University:
The DMZ at Toronto Metropolitan University is the leading business incubator for technology startups in Canada. The top-ranked university incubator in North America and third in the world, it helps high-potential startups grow and scale their business by connecting them with customers, capital, coaches and a community of innovators. Since launching in 2010, it has incubated 312 startups that have raised $391 million in seed funding and have fostered the creation of more than 2,960 jobs.
For more information, visit https://dmz.torontomu.ca/
