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Visa announces 2021 edition of its Everywhere Initiative to support fintech startups


Visa has announced the 2021 edition of the Everywhere Initiative – a global innovation program and competition for fintech startups.

This year, Visa says the focus is on expansion and accessibility, with Visa offering a one-stop experience to register and learn about upcoming opportunities and competitions – via the global website

Fintechs started by everyone, everywhere will pitch their ideas in regional competitions to a panel of expert judges from across the payments industry. All applicants from Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) are invited to compete first on a CEMEA stage to win a combined $25,000 in total prize and then on a global stage for a combined $100,000 in total prize money. and to tell their companies’ stories. 

“Supporting companies across the globe who are building solutions that power seamless money movement everywhere is a top priority for Visa. We recognize fintechs as a force for innovation that is core to our business and encourage everyone to apply to Visa Everywhere Initiative.” said Aida Diarra, Senior Vice President and Group Country Manager for Visa Sub Saharan Africa.  

”I am looking forward to seeing the many brilliant ideas from Kenya and across Sub Saharan Africa this year,”  Aida added.

Last year, Nairobi-based e-commerce startup Sokowatch was named the winner of the competition. The 2020 initiative was specifically developed to find an immediate solution to help rebuild small businesses heavily impacted by COVID-19.

The Visa Everywhere Initiative (VEI) is a global innovation program by Visa that calls for startups and fintech companies to step up and provide solutions to tomorrow’s commerce and payment challenges. The initiative also tasks these businesses to improve their own product propositions and offer insightful solutions for Visa’s expansive network of partners.

Participants are invited to submit applications for this year’s competition in English to the CEMEA regional pitch before May 7, with the regional CEMEA finals scheduled for June 8 and global finals – for September 14, 2021.  

Visa and TechCrunch will also promote and host live-streamed and virtual events in North America, CEMEA and Latin America. 

Interested fintech startups can submit their application here. 

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Nixon Kanali

Tech journalist based in Nairobi. I track and report on tech and African startups. Founder and Editor of TechTrends Media. Nixon is also the East African tech editor for Africa Business Communities. Send tips to nkanali@techtrendske.co.ke.

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