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FinQuest 2026: Shaping the future of banking in Europe
Powering the future of finance, together
Discover FinQuest 2026
4 thematic areas
You may participate in FinQuest 2026 with innovation-driven products centred on:
- AI-first banking and value transformation – Reinventing banking with AI, automation and measurable impact
- Fraud zero and digital trust – Securing the digital bank without compromising experience
- Next generation customer experience – Seamless, phygital and omnichannel journeys
- Open innovation and emerging technologies – Unlocking new possibilities through breakthrough technologies
Which solutions qualify
To stand a chance to have your solution qualify in the competition, make sure it:
- Is highly innovative.
- Is relevant to the thematic areas of the competition.
- Addresses a real need of the financial sector or would appeal to a substantial number of customers.
- Can feasibly be applied in practice, in line with the current laws and regulations.
€15,000 for 1st place
If your startup finishes in 1st place, you’ll have the opportunity to launch a structured pilot with us, working alongside business and technology experts to validate your solution in a real banking environment. You’ll have access to relevant stakeholders and the potential to explore a path toward broader commercial collaboration.
You’ll also receive €15,000 to accelerate execution and growth.
Additional awards and benefits
Other finalists gain direct exposure to our business and technology teams and may be selected for pilot initiatives or future collaboration opportunities.
Awards and benefits for 2nd and 3rd place will be announced soon.
1. Send the application
Fill in the application form by 20.09.2026 with the details of your solution, team and impact you can create. Send it on time, to enter the competition.
Once we receive it, we’ll send you a confirmation email.
2. Find out if you've qualified
The evaluation committee will review all submitted applications based on innovation, business value, maturity of the solution, scalability, team capabilities and relevance to the selected challenge area.
It will select the 6 finalists by September.
If necessary, we may call you before the finalists are announced, so you can present your proposal. Be on alert.
If your proposal qualifies, we’ll notify you by email or over the phone.
3. Improve your product (accelerator)
If your proposal does qualify, you’ll have time to further develop your solution, from September to December. This stage is called the accelerator.
You’ll participate in a tailored acceleration programme designed to help you validate, refine and scale your solutions within the banking industry.
You’ll gain access to mentoring sessions with industry experts, workshops and knowledge-sharing activities, meetings with our business and technology teams, pitch coaching, and networking opportunities with investors, ecosystem partners and innovation leaders.
This will help you strengthen your value proposition, explore real business opportunities, and prepare for potential pilot projects and strategic collaborations.
4. Make your pitch
In January, you’ll pitch your solution during a live event before a distinguished panel of judges, including Alpha Bank experts and leading industry professionals.
If you’re among the top 3 startups, you’ll receive cash prizes and additional awards.
Explore last year’s winners
Any questions?
Find the answers you need about your participation in FinQuest 2026.