Elevator Lab Challenge South-East Europe 2021

Five Raiffeisen Banks* in South-East Europe are organizing an Elevator Lab Challenge and looking for innovative fintech startups in the region.

Applications closed.

Your Benefits

Elevator Lab Challenge South-East Europe 2021 is part of the Elevator Lab, a group-wide international Partnership Program powered by Raiffeisen Bank International. Joining this Elevator Lab Challenge can be a stepping stone to scale your business to an international level.

By applying to the Elevator Lab Challenge South-East Europe 2021 you will jump start your idea and receive valuable feedback from relevant industry experts with the chance to present your company among other participants.

The program is looking for startups working in the fields of Retail and SME banking, Advanced Analytics & Artificial Intelligence, Large Corporates & Institutional Clients, Payments and Transaction Processing, and ESG solutions. Category winners will be invited to the Regional Finals.

Category winners

€5,000 cash prize for winning each of the categories
A possibility of developing a pilot project with one of the local banks
Placement in the Regional Finals of the Elevator Lab Challenge South-East Europe 2021
Opportunity to integrate the innovation with the regional Raiffeisen banks’ systems and reach 2.6 million clients

Regional competition winner

€10,000 cash prize for winning the regional competition
Presentation of the innovation to the local startup and business community
A possibility of developing a pilot project with one of the local banks
Opportunity to integrate the innovation with the regional Raiffeisen Group’s banking systems and reach 2.6 million clients
Meeting with senior bank managers from organizing Raiffeisen Banks and Raiffeisen Bank International
Pitching at the International Elevator Lab Demo Day in 2022 in front of representatives of the entire RBI Group (in Vienna or online)
Expert advice on presentations and personalizing pitch decks for business clients
Extensive media coverage

Abstract, EL Challenge Winner Serbia 2019

Worig, EL Challenge Winner Croatia 2019

AILend, EL Challenge Winner Albania & Kosovo 2019

Uhura Solutions, EL Winner BiH & Regional Winner 2019

The Elevator Lab Challenge is perfect for startups ready to present their product to the experts from one of the most forward-thinking banks globally. It’s a huge learning and networking opportunity that will help put you on the map as a leading fintech innovator in the region.

Stefan Kostic, CEO of IPification (Elevator Lab Regional Challenge Winner 2020)

What we are looking for

The Program is open to fintech-startups that have at least minimum viable product ready and a committed founding team that consists of at least two roles (for example CEO and CTO).
The fintech-startups offering solutions/ technology for banks and financial services must be active in one of the following areas:

Advanced Analytics & Artificial Intelligence

AA & AI for Customer Engagement
Intelligent character recognition / smart document processing beyond OCR
Biometry e.g. behavior / gesture analytics
Omnichannel analytics /digital marketing
Voice banking, voice assistants and voice biometry

Large Corporates & Institutional Clients

Digital platform solutions (especially digital
onboarding, workflow tools, risk limit management)
Digital contract management
Blockchain solutions for large corporates

Payments and Transaction Processing

Blockchain technology
Mobile payment solutions
Mobile banking app solutions for additional services (e.g. bill payments, bill split)
Open banking interaction with the PSD2 APIs and monetization of business cases

Retail and SME Banking

Digital client acquisition solutions (digital/ video/ remote)
Digital sales processes
Beyond Banking (e.g. customer service/ advisory/ additional value added services/ digital contract management)

ESG Solutions

Social banking
CO2 certificate trading and carbon offsetting solutions
Innovative approach related to ESG models

Founding a startup is like jumping on a rollercoaster ride, it doesn’t happen fast or immediately bring you success. Those who read between the lines of any startup success story understand that the winners are those who are in for the long game; with a focus on delivering value. We are on a mission to ensure fair and easy access to credit for everyone whenever they need it. For that, we are grateful that our path crossed with Elevator Lab, who acknowledges our vision and efforts.

Gentjan Zotaj, CEO of AiLend (Regional Challenge Winner Albania and Kosovo 2019)

Elevator Lab Challenge South-East Europe 2021

Applications are open until November 21st, 2021 - CET 23:59

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Applications closed

Timeline

The applications for Elevator Lab Challenge South-East Europe 2021 start on October 11th 2021. Followed by an internal selection process with the aim to identify the startups with the biggest potential, three separate category competitions** will take place online. These online events will be held in the beginning of December, and the winners of the categories will be invited to the Gala event on December 15th 2021, where they will get the opportunity to present their solutions in front of an international jury.

Applications open

October 11th – November 21st, 2021

Innovative Banking Solutions for Retail, SME, and Corporate Clients (online)

December 1st, 2021

Payments and Advanced Analytics Solutions (online)

December 2nd, 2021

ESG Solutions (online)

December 3rd, 2021

Gala Event (online or live – depending on Covid-19 situation)

December 15th, 2021

Elevator Lab Challenge

Jury Elevator Lab Challenge

Elevator Lab Challenge South-East Europe 2021 Jury

Category jury – Innovative Banking Solutions for Retail, SME, and Corporate Clients

Jasminka Rojko

Executive Director of Large Corporate Clients and Structured Finance
Raiffeisenbank Austria d.d

Kenan Karcic

Head of Digital Competence Center
Raiffeisen BANK dd Bosna i Hercegovina

Merita Gjyshinca - Peja

Head of Corporate Product Department
Raiffeisen Bank Kosovo Sh.A

Aida Hoxha

Group IT Architect
Raiffeisen Bank International

Bojan Vekic

Head of Business Analysis and Development Department
Raiffeisen banka a.d.

Resmi Hibraj

Cards Business and E-Banking Division Manager
Raiffeisen Bank Sh.A.

Gezim Turkeshi

Founder of Korb Marketing Research
Lecturer at Riinvest College

Category jury – Payments and Advanced Analytics Solutions

Iva Perisa

Director of Daily Banking
Raiffeisenbank Austria d.d.

Arber Fazliu

Head of IT
Raiffeisen Bank Kosovo Sh.A

Marko Nikolic

Head of Card Business Division
Raiffeisen banka a.d.

Erion Serti

Head of IT
Raiffeisen Bank Sh.A

Haris Gondzo

Head of IT
Raiffeisen BANK dd Bosna i Hercegovina

Aida Hoxha

Group IT Architect
Raiffeisen Bank International

Faris Zacina

Co-founder and CEO
Ministry of Programming

Category jury – ESG Solutions

Belma Hadziomerovic

Head of Marketing, Corporate Communication and Sustainability Management
Raiffeisen BANK dd Bosna i Hercegovina

Alda Shehu

Head of Strategy and Innovation
Raiffeisen Bank Sh.A

Bujar Ibrahimi

Head of Competence Center and Strategic Initiatives
Raiffeisen Bank Kosovo Sh.A

Momir Rakic

Product Management Chapter Leader
Raiffeisen banka a.d.

Natasa Mlakar

Director of Corporate Lending Products
Raiffeisenbank Austria d.d.

Aida Hoxha

Group IT Architect
Raiffeisen Bank International

Faola Hodaj

Innovation Director
Municipality of Tirana

Gala event jury

Shukri Mustafa

Chief Operations Officer
Raiffeisen Bank Kosovo Sh.A

Petar Jovanovic

Deputy Chairman of the Managing Board
Raiffeisen banka a.d.

Alda Shehu

Head of Strategy and Innovation
Raiffeisen Bank Sh.A

Marek Chlebicki

Head of IT Strategy & Solutions Task Force
Raiffeisen Bank International

Igor Car

Executive Director of Mass Banking
Raiffeisenbank Austria d.d

Kenan Karcic

Head of Digital Competence Center
Raiffeisen BANK dd Bosna i Hercegovina

Elma Saric

Strategic Partnerships and Ecosystems Manager
Raiffeisen Bank International AG