Visa Calls For Innovative Startups In Qatar to Participate in Global Competition

2022 Visa Everywhere Initiative

Taking place in Qatar this November 2022, the startups progressing to the global finals will also have the chance to win up to $170,000 in total prize money

Visa has invited fintech and payment startups in Qatar to showcase their innovative products and solutions at the 2022 Visa Everywhere Initiative (VEI), a global open innovation program. 

The deadline to submit applications to the global pitch competition for startups is April 4 and the VEI Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEMEA) regional finale will be held on June 8. 

“For fintechs with solutions to some of today’s commerce challenges, Visa’s Everywhere Initiative is where they need to be. It’s a great platform to gain exposure and have a chance to work with Visa in building solutions that power seamless money movement everywhere.

Dr Sudheer Nair, Visa’s country manager (Qatar) said: “I am excited about this year’s competition and looking forward to seeing the many innovative solutions from fi ntechs here in Qatar’’.

This year’s program has expanded to include startups that are using cryptocurrency and Visa Direct, a payment solution that can help businesses move money in innovative ways to billions of endpoints worldwide via card and account rails.

Innovative fintech startups across Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa (CEMEA) are invited to sign up to gain exposure and access to Visa’s network, as well as a total of $45,000 in prize money.

The VEI network includes 8,500 startups from around the world, which continues to grow every year. Since its launch in 2015, the program has helped startups from over 100 countries collectively raise more than $2.5 billion in funding, addressing one of the biggest challenges faced by early-stage entrepreneurs. 

Every year, the scope of VEI is expanded to engage with unique startups and solve unique problems in the world of payments. 

VEI is seeking innovative and ambitious entrepreneurs who are uplifting communities by solving payment and commerce challenges faced by businesses of all sizes and sectors.

More information on how to apply can be found on the initiative website.