Visa has officially commenced the application process for its esteemed Visa Everywhere Initiative (VEI) 2024 edition. As a globally recognized open innovation program and competition, VEI targets fintech startups worldwide.
Fintech startups are invited to present their innovative solutions addressing future payment and commerce challenges. Winners of the VEI not only receive equity-free funding but also gain access to Visa’s extensive network of partners in banking, merchant services, venture capital, and government sectors, along with invaluable recognition from one of the world’s leading brands.
Applications for Visa Everywhere Initiative 2024 will remain open until May 6th. Successful applicants will advance to a virtual Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa (CEMEA) competition on July 17. The CEMEA winner will proceed to the global finale, competing against winners from Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and North America, at the TechCrunch Disrupt event in San Francisco on October 29th, 2024.
Eva Ngigi-Sarwari, Country Manager for Visa Kenya, expressed, “The Visa Everywhere Initiative is a powerful platform empowering fintechs and entrepreneurs to showcase groundbreaking solutions. Fintechs play a pivotal role in offering social benefits and driving inclusive growth through access to the digital economy.”
Since its inception in the US in 2015, VEI has evolved into a global program, engaging nearly 15,000 startups. These startups have collectively raised over $48 billion in funding.
In 2023, Nigeria’s Drugstoc clinched the VEI global grand prize of $50,000, along with the Audience Favorite prize of $10,000. Kenyan startup AiFluence secured the Audience Favorite award at the CEMEA regional finals, earning $10,000 in addition to the $20,000 prize for winning the Kenya in-country edition.
For innovative startups/fintechs seeking global recognition and credibility, VEI offers an unparalleled opportunity. Submit your application to participate in local, regional, and global competitions, with the chance to shine on the global stage at TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco in October.
Application deadlines per region are as follows:
Local Deadlines
Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia: April 29th
Regional Deadlines
All Central Europe, Middle East, and Africa: May 6th
North America: May 13th
Latin America and the Caribbean: June 3rd
Europe: July 1st
Asia Pacific: July 12th
