New Delhi, Apr 1 (KNN) Applications have been invited from startups for Accenture’s annual FinTech Innovation Lab Asia-Pacific.

Fintech entrepreneurs developing cutting-edge products, services and technologies are invited to apply until May 10.

To be eligible for the Lab, startups must have a working version of their technology/solution for financial institutions.

Senior business and operations executives from the Lab’s participating financial institutions will select up to 10 of the fintech applicants to take part in the program through a competitive process and provide them with intensive in-person mentoring in Hong Kong.

“There’s now widespread acceptance that the best way forward for banks and fintech startups is to collaborate where possible, creating big ecosystems that will help unlock huge value for all stakeholders, particularly consumers,” said Piyush Singh, Accenture’s financial services lead for Asia-Pacific and Africa and regional programme sponsor for the Lab in a statement.

The Lab, which begins August 5, will partner the chosen fintech startups with senior-level financial institution executives and leading technology entrepreneurs to help them fine-tune and develop their technologies and business strategies through a series of panel discussions, user-group sessions, networking opportunities, one-on-one meetings and presentations.

In a statement, Co-Founder of Wecash Li Hao said, "The Lab’s geographical proximity to the mainland makes it particularly suitable for Chinese start-ups, especially for those like ours looking to expand abroad.” (KNN/JM)