Global FinTech Hackcelerator 2026
By Monetary Authority of Singapore
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Quick Answer
MAS and GFTN's yearly fintech challenge at Singapore FinTech Festival. One winner per problem statement gets SGD 80,000 (about ₹56 lakh). The 2026 round closed on 21 August 2026.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Competition
- Provider
- Monetary Authority of Singapore
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Location
- International
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 21 August 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by Monetary Authority of Singapore. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this competition
The 2026 Global FinTech Hackcelerator is closed. Applications shut on 21 August 2026 at 23:59 Singapore time. For the future, the official page invites you to register interest in the 2027 programme and says to watch for updates, but no 2027 dates or terms are published.
The programme is organised by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN) and runs at Singapore FinTech Festival. This was the 11th edition. It matches market-ready fintech startups with Corporate Champions, who set the problem statements. Startups from outside Singapore, including India, can apply.
What the program offers
Prize money is SGD 80,000 (about ₹56 lakh), announced at the SFF FinTech Excellence Awards Dinner on 19 November 2026. Every finalist team also gets an SGD 20,000 stipend (about ₹14 lakh) for travel and accommodation. Applying and taking part is free, and no equity is taken. Finalists also get mentoring from senior financial leaders, masterclasses, one-to-one investor sessions, a chance to run pilots with the Corporate Champions, an exhibition kiosk at the festival and alumni support.
Who can apply
You need an early-stage fintech startup, bootstrapped or at pre-seed, seed or Series A, with a market-ready solution to one of the posted problem statements. You must be based in, operating in or planning to enter Southeast Asia, and be open to external funding. Teams must be formed before registering, each person can join only one team, and each team can submit one proposal for one problem statement.
For an Indian startup, this fits if you already have a working product and a genuine plan for Southeast Asia. If you only serve the Indian market with no regional plan, you are a weaker match.
How to apply
Complete the registration form and upload three items, all in English and uploaded directly (links to cloud storage are not accepted):
- A proposal PDF of one to five pages, in at least 11-point type with 1-inch margins
- A pitch deck covering the solution, problem, market, business model and team
- A short video of a live product demo; phone recordings are fine and authenticity matters more than polish
The 2026 problem statements were: GXS Bank on adaptive risk models joining credit and fraud assessment; Julius Baer on AI-driven private banking journeys for digitally native wealthy clients; and Zurich Insurance on helping SMEs see their risk exposure and coverage gaps.
How applications are judged and what happens next
An industry expert panel reviews and shortlists applications. Up to 20 finalists were announced in October, then joined a virtual programme and an in-person week in Singapore from 11 to 13 November 2026. Finalists pitch to judges at Demo Day on 18 November 2026. Submissions are confidential to the evaluation panel.
About MAS and GFTN
MAS is Singapore's financial regulator. GFTN is the Global Finance & Technology Network, which with MAS organises the programme at the festival. The page cites alumni results of over 3,500 startups engaged and over 50 countries represented.
Things to check before you apply
- Finalists must travel to Singapore for the programme week and Demo Day, so plan visas and team time.
- The page is inconsistent on the prize structure: one section says one winner per problem statement, while the FAQ says the top three winners. Confirm before you plan around it.
- A practical tip: pick the problem statement that matches your product closely rather than stretching a general product to fit.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Organizers
Prizes & Awards
What You Get
One winner per problem statement receives SGD 80,000 in prize money (about ₹56 lakh). Every finalist team, up to 20 in all, gets an SGD 20,000 stipend (about ₹14 lakh) to cover travel and accommodation for the in-person week in Singapore. Finalists also get a free exhibition kiosk at Singapore FinTech Festival, mentoring from senior leaders at financial institutions, masterclasses on go-to-market, regulation and fundraising, curated one-to-one investor sessions, and the chance to run pilots with the Corporate Champion behind their problem statement. No equity is taken.
- Disbursement
- Lump Sum
- Cohort size
- 20 startups
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
An industry expert panel reviews and shortlists applications. Up to 20 finalists join a virtual programme and a week in Singapore, then pitch to judges at Demo Day. Winners are announced at the SFF FinTech Excellence Awards Dinner.
Application Process
- 1
Register and submit
Fill in the form and upload the proposal, pitch deck and demo video.
You - 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 2
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an Indian startup apply for the Global FinTech Hackcelerator?
Yes. You do not need to be based in Singapore, but you must be based in, operating in or planning to enter Southeast Asia. Finalists must attend in person in Singapore.
How much can we win?
The prize is SGD 80,000, about ₹56 lakh. Every finalist team also receives an SGD 20,000 stipend for travel and accommodation.
What was the deadline and has it passed?
The 2026 deadline was 21 August 2026 at 23:59 Singapore time and has passed. You can register interest for 2027 on the official page, though no dates are published.
Does it cost anything or take equity?
No. Applying and participating are free, and the programme takes no equity. Any investment deal with investors is negotiated separately.
What do we need to submit?
A proposal PDF of one to five pages, a pitch deck and a short video with a live demo. Everything must be in English and uploaded directly.
Do we have to travel to Singapore?
Yes, finalists attend an in-person programme week from 11 to 13 November 2026 and Demo Day on 18 November 2026 in Singapore.
What stage should the startup be at?
Bootstrapped, pre-seed, seed or Series A, with a market-ready solution to one of the problem statements.
What were the problem statements?
GXS Bank asked for adaptive risk modelling that joins credit and fraud assessment. Julius Baer asked for AI-led digital private banking, and Zurich Insurance asked for AI that helps SMEs see their risk and coverage gaps.
When were the winners announced?
Winners were announced at the SFF FinTech Excellence Awards Dinner on 19 November 2026, after Demo Day on 18 November.
Is it a grant or equity?
It is prize money plus a stipend, with no equity taken by the organisers.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
