HiPipo unveils Season 2 of 40 DAYS 40 FINTECHs

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HiPipo has officially launched the second season of the 40 DAYS 40 FINTECHs initiative slated to officially start on 5th July. This initiative is part of the company’s ongoing financial inclusion efforts and its efforts to influence and shape financial technology and policy decisions within stakeholders. These include regulators, policymakers, government, political, economic, and social systems and institutions.

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What is the 40 DAYS 40 FINTECHs initiative?

It is a 40-day campaign that portrays 40 leading FinTech startups and players in the country, detailing their activity and key contribution to the growth of the sector in the country. HiPipo organized the first season in mid-2020, at the height of the first COVID-19 wave, and an increase in demand for FinTech innovations to change the financial landscape of Uganda.

The #40Days40FinTechs platform provides a setting for the various players and stakeholders involved in digital and financial technology to exhibit their products and also share their ideas on how more people, especially those underserved by the present financial systems, can be brought into the fold. 

Various startups and existing players get involved in over a month of exhibition, dialogue, and discussion on inclusive real-time payment system development. The platform also serves as an introductory point for the industry’s emerging technologies and solutions, like the Level One Project and Mojaloop. It is here that the picture of the future of digital financial services- interoperability – is painted for a clear view from varying perspectives. 

Like last year, FinTechs will take up the challenge and use the opportunity to ride the wave of appreciation for cashless payments that the pandemic has brought. There is a need to be prepared with appropriate products and have the appropriate real-time payment systems in place to support an inclusive, interoperable digital marketplace that is both thriving and safe. 

Read also: The top fintech startups in Africa today

What do startups gain from the 40 Days 40 FinTechs initiative?

There are a variety of sectors the participating startups seek to serve, going beyond just the traditional financial services. These include health, education, agriculture, and real estate. In their day-to-day operations, they are changing the lives of the likes of rural farmers, women, small business holders – both formal and Informal, and unemployed youth. 

For these FinTechs, the cost-free exposure has been of great benefit. Innocent Kawooya, CEO at HiPipo says that It will be exciting to see what the participants have to offer. 

“Various stakeholders will be on hand for more discussion and debate, with this time around extra insight from the likes of banks and MNOs. We anticipate extensive discussion on cross-border payments and on  lending products (especially those offering facilities to persons and communities that are still on  the bylines of finance and trade e.g. women and PWDs).” 

The 40 Days 40 FinTechs initiative is implemented by HiPipo in partnership with Crosslake Technologies, ModusBox, and Mojaloop Foundation. It is aided by the Level One Project; an initiative of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Financial Services for the Poor (FSP)  program, which is part of their Global Growth and Opportunity division.

HiPipo’s digital calendar 2021

This year’s season will run from 5th July to the 21st of August, and will be summed up with a FinTech Landscape Exhibition running for two days from the 25th to the 26th of August. 

Read more: Ugandan fintech Ensibuuko raises $1 million in latest funding from FCA investments

Read more: Bank of Uganda launches regulatory sandbox to improve the startup ecosystem in Uganda

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