DMZ - BMO

Fintech Accelerator

Fueling Canada’s most promising fintech startups

We've partnered with BMO to search for Canada’s most innovative fintech companies that are ready for market exposure and are looking to grow in size, revenue and investment. The goal? To scale and fuel the next generation of innovative financial services in just four months.

What you get

Mentorship

Coaching from dedicated DMZ Entrepreneurs-in-Residence and BMO advisors acting as a part of your team.

Piloting

The opportunity to further commercialize, scale your technology and conduct a proof of concept with relevant business lines at BMO.*

Connections

The chance to meet and network with fintech experts, investors, businesses and BMO’s executive community.

Workshops

Four months of tailored support and exclusive workshops on topics such as regulations, data security and sales.

Cash prizes

$50,000, $35,000 and $15,000 for 1st place, 2nd place and 3rd place, respectively.

Workspace

Dedicated workspace in the heart of Toronto and access to a pool of exclusive resources.

* Piloting not guaranteed

To apply to the program, you'll need to:

Have a functional prototype (at minimum) of the product, service or application

Be focused directly on innovating financial services and its customer value proposition

Potential to grow and scale to achieve high impact

Have an innovative business with market validation and demonstrable impact

Be an incorporated Canadian business

Have a driven, coachable and collaborative leadership team

Have at least one founder working on the business full-time

For complete details, please read the contest rules.

Program timeline

June 29: Application deadline

Eligible startups can apply through the online application form here. The deadline to complete and submit your application is June 29, 2017 11:59 pm EST.

July 11: Pitch to BMO and DMZ selection panel

Based on the quality of submissions, up to 10 finalists will be invited to pitch to a selection committee comprised of BMO executives, program advisors and the DMZ’s Startup Services team.

July 14: Participants are selected

The panel will select six winning startups to participate in the four-month program. Successful applicants will be notified by July 14, 2017.

July 24: 4-month accelerator program starts

Startups will start their four-month intensive journey and join the most vibrant entrepreneurial community in North America.

November 15: Startup Showcase

At the end of the four months, the six startups will participate in a “Startup Showcase” where they’ll pitch for pilot opportunities with BMO. Three of the six companies will be selected and awarded prizes of $50,000, $35,000 and $15,000 respectively.

What the last cohort is saying

Cinchy is a web-based data management platform that features an easy-to-use user interface that helps companies manage and share data.

Cinchy Inc.

TypeSift acts as a digital CFO for small businesses. It helps companies make important decisions using their own data.

TypeSift Inc.

Sprout is a financial coach that you can carry in your pocket and helps you save and manage your money more effectively than ever before.

Vicis Labs (Sprout)

Viviplan is an end-to-end platform that provides Canadians with sophisticated financial planning services at an affordable price.

Viviplan Inc.

WealthLime makes AI-influenced software for financial service firms that enhances business and enterprise productivity.

Wealthlime Inc.

Applications for our Fintech Accelerator program are now closed. Have questions?

Get in touch

About BMO

Established in 1817, BMO Financial Group is a highly diversified financial services provider based in North America. With total assets of $699 billion as of January 31, 2016, and close to 47,000 employees, BMO provides a broad range of retail banking, wealth management and investment banking products and services to more than 12 million customers and conducts business through three operating groups: Personal and Commercial Banking, Wealth Management and BMO Capital Markets.

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