Mediobanca, Italy’s largest investment bank, has partnered with London-based global company builder and early-stage investor Founders Factory to launch a new fintech venture studio and accelerator. With an initial investment of €12 million from Mediobanca, this joint venture aims to promote innovation in financial services by supporting international early-stage fintech startups while bolstering Italy’s thriving startup ecosystem.
Over the next five years, the Mediobanca/Founders Factory collaboration plans to build and invest in 35 fintech businesses. The venture studio will focus on developing and launching new fintech ventures that leverage advanced technologies, including blockchain and AI, to drive innovation within the financial services market. Concurrently, Founders Factory and Mediobanca will operate an accelerator program to invest in and support established early-stage fintech ventures both in Italy and internationally.
Selected entrepreneurs participating in the joint venture will gain access to essential startup capital, Founders Factory’s global network, operational support, and fintech expertise, alongside Mediobanca’s commercial access and industry knowledge across various financial practices, from wealth management to consumer banking.
The collaboration between Mediobanca and Founders Factory aligns with Mediobanca’s strategic plan, ONE BRAND – ONE CULTURE, which outlines a significant enhancement of the Group’s technology ecosystem. Key priorities of the digital agenda include the improvement of digital channels to ensure a more efficient customer experience, the evolution of digital platforms through the adoption of artificial intelligence solutions to support the sales force, and a digitalization and automation path aimed at optimizing costs.
Founders Factory, a leading global fintech authority, has established a strong relationship with UK financial services operator Aviva and has built and invested in nearly 50 financial technology ventures. This partnership with Mediobanca further solidifies its commitment to the fintech sector while establishing a prominent presence within Italy’s thriving startup ecosystem.
Mediobanca’s CEO, Alberto Nagel, explains that the organization has embraced technology in the financial sector in recent years, launching CheBanca! for wealth management and investing in Buy Now Pay Later for consumer banking. He affirms that the joint venture will create new opportunities, strengthen the Group’s technology ecosystem, and enable the adoption of innovative models to effectively respond to market expectations.
Marco Pozzi, Group COO of Mediobanca, adds that the partnership with Founders Factory is a fundamental step in the Group’s strategic plan and will accelerate the innovation paths outlined in its industrial strategy. Collaborating with innovative startups in the international market will contribute to the growth of the high-potential fintech market and transform existing systems through the development of distinctive and highly innovative solutions.
Founders Factory CEO Henry Lane Fox comments on Mediobanca’s status as one of Italy’s leading financial institutions, acknowledging their recognition of technology’s role in shaping the future of financial services. He believes that combining Founders Factory’s venture-building capabilities and fintech experience with Mediobanca’s heritage, financial expertise, and global ambition will create a powerful platform to support fintech founders.
Fabio Troiani, Chairman of Founders Factory Italy, notes that Mediobanca stands out as an innovative trailblazer among Italian banks. By collaborating with Founders Factory, they are aligning with a cutting-edge player in the field. Troiani highlights the transformative innovation and venture capital returns delivered by the Founders Factory model over the past seven years.
The transaction is subject to obtaining the relevant regulatory authorizations.
