Mastercard announces Fintech Express programme

Mastercard has launched Fintech Express in Europe, a programme designed to facilitate emerging FinTechs' launch and expansion.

The programme is designed to help startups launch rapidly and expand based on their needs:

• Access: obtaining a Mastercard License and accessing the global payments company’s network through a streamlined onboarding process.
• Build: becoming an Express Partner by building unique tech alliances and benefitting from all the advantages that Mastercard provides.
• Connect: connecting with qualified Express Partners and going live with Mastercard in a matter of days.

A statement explained that it is designed for FinTechs looking to add payment solutions to their suite of products, tech-savvy startups looking at serving a new segment, as well as established players with ambitions to innovate through partnerships.

Becoming an Express Partner helps brands simplify the launching of payment solutions, shortening the process from a few months to a matter of days. Express Partners also get all the benefits of becoming a Qualified Engage Partner.

Mark Barnett, president at Mastercard Europe, commented: “In recent years, European startups have been driving the global transition towards more digital economies - the prodigious growth of new technology has touched our lives in numerous ways.

"Be it mobile payments, access to financing, or e-commerce, FinTechs have become the building blocks of our modern-day payment infrastructure," he continued, adding: "Mastercard has already established itself as partner of choice for fintechs across Europe and with today’s announcement we are taking the next step in further empowering them to fulfil their ambitions of scale and speed.”

Railsbank, a global Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) platform, is one of the early players to have joined forces under the new Express Partner programme.

“Since joining Mastercard’s award winning Start Path programme in 2017, our successful collaboration with Railsbank has further powered the digital economy by allowing FinTechs to launch new technologies rapidly and easily,” added Barnett.

Mastercard Fintech Express falls under the umbrella of Mastercard Accelerate – the company's overarching FinTech platform that gives startups and emerging brands support and assistance for every stage of their growth and transformation, from market entry to global expansion.

Mastercard Accelerate is comprised of four main programmes: Fintech Express, Start Path, Engage and Developers.

    Share Story:

Recent Stories


Creating value together: Strategic partnerships in the age of GCCs
As Global Capability Centres reshape the financial services landscape, one question stands out: how do leading banks balance in-house innovation with strategic partnerships to drive real transformation?

Data trust in the AI era: Building customer confidence through responsible banking
In the second episode of FStech’s three-part video podcast series sponsored by HCLTech, Sudip Lahiri, Executive Vice President & Head of Financial Services for Europe & UKI at HCLTech examines the critical relationship between data trust, transparency, and responsible AI implementation in financial services.

Banking's GenAI evolution: Beyond the hype, building the future
In the first episode of a three-part video podcast series sponsored by HCLTech, Sudip Lahiri, Executive Vice President & Head of Financial Services for Europe & UKI at HCLTech explores how financial institutions can navigate the transformative potential of Generative AI while building lasting foundations for innovation.

Beyond compliance: Building unshakeable operational resilience in financial services
In today's rapidly evolving financial landscape, operational resilience has become a critical focus for institutions worldwide. As regulatory requirements grow more complex and cyber threats, particularly ransomware, become increasingly sophisticated, financial services providers must adapt and strengthen their defences. The intersection of compliance, technology, and security presents both challenges and opportunities.