Visa aimed to build a scalable open innovation platform designed to enable practical, business-ready collaboration with fintechs, strengthen engagement with existing clients and partners, expand its innovation footprint across European markets, and support fintechs in navigating enterprise-grade requirements while scaling internationally.
Open Innovation Platform
Visa Innovation Program Europe
2019
Program launched
7
Cohorts completed
142
selected startups
€520M+
Funding Raised
2019
Program launched
7
Cohorts completed
142
selected startups
€520M+
Funding Raised
Overview of the Accelerator Program
The Visa Innovation Program Europe is a multi-country open innovation platform designed to connect high-potential fintechs with Visa, its clients, and partners across Europe.
Launched in 2019, the program supports fintechs in validating solutions, integrating with Visa’s infrastructure, expanding internationally, and establishing commercial partnerships through a structured, outcome-driven approach.
The program is implemented and operated by Tenity in close collaboration with Visa and local ecosystem stakeholders.
VIPE has expanded to eight new markets across the Nordics and Baltics, bringing its total footprint to 15 markets across Europe.
Mentorship from 50+ Allianz experts across product, innovation, and technology
Access to Allianz APIs and the opportunity to develop proof-of-concepts
400,000 TL of PoC funding for successful integrations (non-equity)
Workshops and market access sessions delivered jointly by Allianz and Tenity
Exposure to investors and partners across Tenity’s global ecosystem.
From Challenge to Impact
The Challenge
The Solution
Together with Tenity, Visa designed and operated a pan-European innovation program, providing structured support to participating fintechs by enabling them to:
- Integrate with Visa Developer Center APIs
- Explore money movement and payment capabilities
- Prioritize and validate target markets for international expansion
- Apply pivot and validation frameworks
- Strengthen and refine value propositions
- Redefine go-to-market strategies
- Build and test new product features (e.g. advanced expense management tools)
- Explore card issuance options, including UHNW use cases
- Ensure open banking and regulatory compliance
- Establish commercial PoCs and long-term partnerships
Results & Impact
- 100+ PoCs and partnerships facilitated to date
- 10+ PoCs per market, on average
- Direct access for startups to Visa’s global payment infrastructure and ecosystem
- Stronger collaboration between fintechs, financial institutions, and Visa clients
- A repeatable, scalable innovation model operating across multiple European regions
(Specific success stories are confidential.)
Visa Innovation Program Europe Timeline
2019
Partnership established and first program launched.
2022-2023
Expansion to Spain, Portugal, and Italy.
2025
Expansion to Nordics & Baltics.
Interested in running a high-impact corporate innovation program like Visa Innovation Program Europe?