DIFC reaffirms position as region’s global fintech and innovation hub

DIFC reaffirms position as region’s global fintech and innovation hub

- More than 3,000 applications received to date for the market-leading DIFC FinTech Hive Accelerator programme

- Between January and September 2022, DIFC-based FinTech firms secured more than AED 2 billion (USD 559 million) of funding, according to DIFC FinTech Hive’s 2022 FinTech Report

Dubai, UAE: Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the leading global financial centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, today announced that during the first nine months of 2022, the number of FinTech and innovation firms joining DIFC exceeded the total that established operations during the whole of 2021.

Amongst that number are graduating start-ups from this year’s DIFC FinTech Hive programme cohort. The first and largest FinTech accelerator programme in the region has now attracted more than 3,000 applications from all over the world, which have been whittled down to 200 participants, based on their ideas and ability to generate revenue. The programme has delivered more than 100 proof of concepts with the support of over 65 partners.

DIFC is currently seeing elevated levels of interest from FinTechs in Singapore, Southeast Asian and Asia-Pacific markets. As FinTech and innovation firms mature in these locations, they are seeking new opportunities to scale beyond their regional borders and