If you’re building a FinTech or InsurTech startup and want real enterprise traction—not just demo day hype—the FinTech Innovation Lab New York (FILNY) should be on your radar. Backed by Accenture and the Partnership Fund for New York City, FILNY offers a rare opportunity: direct access to over 40 global financial institutions without taking any equity 🧠💼. Let’s break down what makes FILNY one of the most founder-friendly, enterprise-focused FinTech accelerators in the world.
Program Overview: FinTech Innovation Lab New York
The FinTech Innovation Lab New York (FILNY) is a structured, 12-week hybrid accelerator designed for FinTech and InsurTech startups building enterprise solutions—offering unmatched access to industry leaders, validation opportunities, and strategic market exposure in the heart of global finance.
📛 Program Name: FinTech Innovation Lab New York (FILNY)
⏳ Duration: 12 weeks
🖥️🏙️ Format: Hybrid (virtual sessions + mandatory in-person events in NYC)
🚀 Stage Focus: Early- to growth-stage startups (typically Seed to Series B)
💼 Industry Focus: FinTech & InsurTech (enterprise-focused solutions only)
🧾 Equity Taken: ❌ None
💵 Program Fees: ❌ Zero
🌆 Location Advantage: Based in New York City, the heart of global finance
Why It Matters🌟: FILNY offers more than just mentorship—it connects you with enterprise buyers actively looking for solutions like yours. For founders serious about breaking into financial institutions, this program is a fast-track.
Eligibility Requirements: Is Your Startup a Fit?
Not every startup is ready for FILNY—and that’s by design. This accelerator is built for serious teams with real products and a clear path to enterprise deployment. Here’s what you’ll need to qualify:
🚀 Company Stage: Early- to growth-stage (typically Seed to Series B). Pre-revenue is okay, but you need more than an idea.
🧪 Product Readiness: At least a working beta version of your technology that’s enterprise-ready for testing or deployment.
📈 Market Traction: You should have some validation—customers, pilots, or early revenue all help.
👥 Team Commitment: Core team members must be available full-time for all NYC-based in-person events during the 12-week program (April–June).
🌍 U.S. Work Eligibility: No visa sponsorship. International startups are welcome, but you need to handle immigration yourself.
🏦 Customer Focus: Your solution must be aimed at the financial services industry—banking, insurance, capital markets, or similar.
🔎 Transparency: Disclose any affiliations with FILNY partner orgs (Accenture, FIs, VCs) during the application.
Bottom Line🚀: If you’re already building and selling an enterprise-grade solution—and you’re ready to go deep with the biggest players in finance—you’re exactly who FILNY wants to hear from.
Application Process: How to Get In FinTech Innovation Lab
Getting into FILNY isn’t easy—but the process is clear, structured, and worth the effort. Here’s how it works:
Where to Apply: Submit your application via F6S (linked from FILNY’s official website).
Timeline:
- Applications usually open in October
- Deadline falls in November or December
- The program runs from April to late Jun
Pitch Deck Required: Your deck should clearly explain your product, traction, and enterprise value. No deck = no review.
Selection Process:
- Startups are reviewed by senior executives from 40+ financial institutions
- If shortlisted, you’ll pitch directly to them in multiple rounds
- Even during interviews, you’ll receive feedback from FIs (win-win)
💡 Pro Tip: Apply early. With hundreds of applicants and <5% acceptance, timing and polish matter more than you think.
Program Costs & Funding Model
Unlike most accelerators, FILNY doesn’t take equity and doesn’t charge fees—making it one of the most accessible, founder-first programs around.
- Equity Taken: ❌ None
- Program Fee: ❌ None
- Funding Provided: 💸 Not part of the program—but…
- Post-Program Potential: Alumni often raise funding from FILNY’s partner VCs or strategic investors (over $2.98B raised to date)
🔍 FILNY is all about access, validation, and strategic relationships—not upfront capital. If you’re looking to land PoCs and real partnerships, this model is a no-brainer.
Why Founders Choose FILNY? Benefits That Actually Move the Needle
FILNY isn’t just about visibility or vague “networking” perks. It’s designed for FinTech and InsurTech startups that want real engagement with real enterprise buyers—and it delivers. Here’s what you actually get out of the 12-week program:
🧠 Hands-On Mentorship from FI Executives
You won’t be guessing what banks want—you’ll hear it straight from the source. FILNY pairs you with senior leaders from institutions like JPMorgan, Citi, Mastercard, and more. Expect honest feedback, high-level strategy advice, and doors opened for you.
🤝 PoC and Pilot Opportunities
The goal isn’t theory. It’s product validation inside real banks and insurers. FILNY has facilitated over 390 PoCs in New York alone—and over 950 globally. You’ll walk away with enterprise traction that takes most startups years to build.
🌐 Deep Network Access (Without the Cold Outreach)
From decision-makers at 40+ FIs to top-tier VCs like Nyca, Insight, and Bain Capital Ventures—you’ll meet the people most founders only dream about pitching to. FILNY turns cold leads into warm intros 🔥.
🧭 Enterprise Readiness Training
Workshops, mini-conferences, and one-on-one coaching help you level up your team’s ability to sell into regulated institutions. Think: compliance prep, buyer journey mapping, procurement readiness, and more.
🏛 NYC Presence + Community
Yes, some in-person time is required. But that’s part of the magic. You’ll be in the room with buyers, mentors, and fellow founders—all laser-focused on solving big problems in finance.
🧾 No Equity, No Fees
One of FILNY’s most founder-friendly policies: no equity taken, no fees charged. All that traction, feedback, and access—without giving up a slice of your company.
FinTech Innovation Lab Portfolio: Proof That Banks Are Listening
The FinTech Innovation Lab New York isn’t just respected—it’s a trusted gateway for FinTech startups breaking into financial institutions. With backing from over 40 global financial institutions, FILNY has helped FinTech startups land PoCs, pilots, funding, and acquisitions—all without giving up equity 🧠.
Here’s a snapshot of FinTech companies that came through FILNY and made serious moves:
| Company | FinTech Focus | Key Outcome |
| Alloy | Identity verification for banks & neobanks | Raised $100M+; widely adopted in U.S. financial services |
| CB Insights | Market intel for financial and investment sectors | Acquired Blockdata; used by top-tier institutions |
| SoLo Funds | P2P lending for emergency credit | Raised $13M+; featured in Forbes, FastCo, and WSJ |
| Enigma | Business identity & financial data APIs | Funded by AmEx Ventures; serves lenders and insurers |
| BforeAI | Predictive cyber threat intelligence | Raised Series B; backed by Partnership Fund for NYC |
| Boss Insights | Open banking + AI-powered insights | Powers underwriting, lending, and B2B financial apps |
| Arthur AI | AI governance for banks and lenders | Raised $40M+; helps with bias & fairness in AI deployments |
These startups didn’t just get visibility—they got validation and enterprise traction from some of the biggest financial institutions in the world 💼. That’s what makes FILNY one of the top FinTech accelerators globally.
FILNY’s Power Network: 40+ Financial Giants & Top VCs Behind You
One of the biggest reasons FILNY stands out? It’s not just an “accelerator”—it’s a front door to 40+ global financial institutions and world-class VCs. These aren’t sponsors on a slide deck. They’re in the room with you, helping shape your product and deciding whether to pilot it.
🏦 Financial Institutions You’ll Work With
Here’s a peek at just a few of the enterprise buyers you’ll collaborate with:
- JPMorgan Chase
- Citi
- Bank of America
- Goldman Sachs
- Wells Fargo
- BNY Mellon
- HSBC
- Mastercard
- Barclays
- American Express
- AIG
- UBS
- …and dozens more from insurance, asset management, and capital markets.
These execs aren’t just mentors—they’re potential customers, PoC champions, and long-term partners. 🚪
VC Partners You’ll Meet
Top-tier VCs also stay closely involved throughout the program. Whether you’re raising now or laying the groundwork for later💰 , you’ll be plugged into some of the best in the business:
- Nyca Partners
- Insight Partners
- Oak HC/FT
- Bain Capital Ventures
- First Round Capital
- Anthemis
- 8VC
- Index Ventures
Between PoC traction and Demo Day visibility, FILNY alumni often walk out with term sheets in motion or investors already tracking their next round. 🎯
Tips to Get Into the FinTech Innovation Lab New York
Getting into FILNY isn’t easy—with an acceptance rate under 5%, it’s one of the most selective programs in FinTech. But founders who prepare strategically can significantly improve their odds. Here’s how to do just that:
1️⃣ Solve a real pain point for financial institutions
This is the golden rule. FILNY is not about shiny tech—it’s about solving real enterprise problems. Your application should clearly show how your product helps banks, insurers, or asset managers cut costs, manage risk, increase revenue, or stay compliant.
2️⃣ Align with FILNY’s annual focus themes
Each year, FILNY shares priority themes based on what their 40+ FI partners want. In recent years, that’s included Agentic AI, cybersecurity, compliance tech, and AI ops automation. Show how your solution fits exactly into these categories.
3️⃣ Highlight enterprise-readiness
You need more than a demo. Have a working beta, some client feedback, and ideally a pilot or integration underway. Emphasize product stability, scalability, and data security—things FIs care about deeply.
4️⃣ Show traction + credibility
Mention revenue, pilots, awards, or press. Even better—if you’ve worked with any financial institutions or proven a use case in another vertical, show how you’re now adapting it for finance. This signals you’re coachable and commercially viable.
5️⃣ Nail your pitch deck
Your deck should be tight, tailored, and clearly answer:
- What’s the problem you’re solving?
- Who are you solving it for (and how big is that market)?
- Why is now the right time?
- What’s your traction so far?
- Why are you the team to win?
6️⃣ Be NYC-ready
Make it clear you’re committed to participating in person for mandatory events. NYC presence matters—FILNY wants engaged, collaborative founders who will show up.
7️⃣ Make it about them, not just you
FILNY’s reviewers aren’t just mentors—they’re buyers. Make your messaging about what they gain: faster onboarding, smarter compliance, more secure operations, etc. This flips your pitch from “cool tech” to “business value.”
8️⃣ Be coachable, curious, and committed
FILNY looks for founders who are coachable and collaborative—not just confident. Show that you’re excited to learn, iterate, and engage with tough feedback from seasoned execs.
FAQs About the FinTech Innovation Lab New York
Do I have to be based in the U.S. to apply?
Nope. Startups from around the world are welcome! 🌍 But—you’ll need to already have work eligibility or handle your own visa. FILNY doesn’t sponsor visas.
What stage of startup is FILNY looking for?
Typically Seed to Series B. You should have a working beta, some customer traction, and be ready for enterprise-level conversations—not just pitching an idea.
Do they take equity or charge a fee?
🎉 No equity. No fees. You keep 100% ownership, and there’s no cost to join.
What types of solutions are they looking for?
FILNY backs enterprise tech for financial services—FinTech and InsurTech only. That means banking, insurance, capital markets, compliance, risk, AI, cybersecurity, payments, underwriting—you name it.
Do I need to be in New York for the whole program?
It’s hybrid—but yes, in-person attendance is mandatory for key events during the 12-week program (April–June). Be ready to spend time in NYC. 🗽
What’s the application timeline like?
Applications usually open in October and close in November. The program kicks off in April and ends with a Demo Day in late June.
Can I still apply if I’ve already raised money?
Absolutely. Many FILNY startups have raised Seed or even Series A/B. Just be transparent about your funding to date.
Will I get a pilot or PoC?
No guarantees—but over 390 PoCs have been launched via FILNY. If your product hits the mark, the right FI exec could open serious doors. 🔓
What makes FILNY different from other accelerators?
No equity, no fluff. You get direct access to buyers, not just mentors. And everything is shaped around real needs from 40+ financial institutions. It’s less about pitch polish and more about enterprise fit.
Final Thoughts on Getting Into FinTech Innovation Lab
If you’re a FinTech or InsurTech founder building for the enterprise world, the FinTech Innovation Lab New York is more than just an accelerator—it’s a gateway into one of the most powerful financial ecosystems on the planet.
With zero equity required, direct access to over 40 top financial institutions, and a proven track record of alumni success, FILNY offers something rare: a true fast-track to enterprise traction without giving up a slice of your company.
It’s not for everyone. You’ll need a working product, a clear use case, and the grit to engage with hard questions from real buyers. But if you’re ready, FILNY can help you collapse years of market validation into just 12 weeks—right in the heart of global finance 🏙️🚀.
Ready to take your FinTech startup to the next level? This might be the most important application you send all year.
