J Blaszczykiewicz, Head of Marketing
BMO
Lucas Seiler
Senior Manager, Media Relations
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CHICAGO, February 28, 2024 — Global nonprofit innovation hub 1871 and long-time partner BMO announce their joint participation at Fintech Meetup, one of the fintech industry’s largest meetups in Las Vegas, Nevada, from March 3 to March 6, 2024, for the second year in a row.
At the event, 1871, BMO and Portage will co-host the Women in Fintech Lounge, a pop-up space where attendees can connect with fintech enthusiasts, gain insights into the current fintech ecosystem, discover trends and technologies disrupting fintech, and learn about 1871 and BMO’s joint award-winning program, WMNfintech.
Additionally, 1871 and Portage will co-host TableTalk sessions to connect peer groups for collaborative discussions addressing current fintech ecosystem issues and to generate actionable takeaways for women founders in fintech. Topics open for discussion surround how women fintech founders can effectively pitch their startups for funding, choose the right investors, and scale their business. These TableTalks will occur during lunch hours on Monday, March 4, and Tuesday, March 5.
Alongside connecting with key players in the fintech space, 1871 and BMO will showcase the success of WMNfintech, its joint accelerator experience, and North America’s largest nonprofit fintech industry program for women-founded and women-led startups.
The program aims to bridge the gender gap in the startup and tech community by giving women entrepreneurs access to a robust ecosystem focused on helping them grow their businesses and evolve the financial sector.
Since its launch, women-led fintechs in the program have raised more than $35MM in capital and created 200+ jobs. Applications for joining the fifth cohort of the WMNfintech program will open on March 4, 2024, coinciding with the second day of the Fintech Meetup. More details can be viewed here.
“Year after year, incredible women founders are transforming the fintech landscape with their innovative contributions, and we’re honored to lead the charge in celebrating their achievements and elevating their impact,” said Betsy Ziegler, CEO of 1871. “Partnering with BMO for the Fintech Meetup, we’re thrilled to spotlight the trailblazing women in fintech and underscore the strength of our collaboration in nurturing a more inclusive and forward-thinking tech future.”
The Women in Fintech Lounge allows attendees to walk through the lounge to connect with 1871, BMO, and WMNfintech alums, as well as learn more about the program and how to get involved in 1871’s fintech community. 1871 also hosts its annual affinity ‘WMNtech’ experiences, WMNtech Founders, WMNtech Pitch Competition, and WMNtech Leaders, focused exclusively on empowering women in tech through women-centric programming, resources, and support.
1871 will also expand its involvement in the fintech industry as a whole with the launch of the 2024 Fintech Innovation Lab. Starting in October, this Lab will be added to its suite of Labs —AI, Cannabis, Foodtech, InsurTech, Supply Chain, and Web3 —designed to bring critical industry players together to solve leading problems for transformative and innovative solutions. For more information on the Lab, sign up for notifications.
About 1871
1871, a nonprofit global innovation hub, exists to inspire, equip, and support early-stage, growth-stage, late-stage, and corporate innovators in building extraordinary businesses. 1871 is home to ~500 early-stage startups, ~250 growth and late-stage companies, and ~60 corporates, and is supported by an entire community focused on accelerating their growth and creating jobs in the Chicagoland area. The member experience includes virtual and in-person access to workshops, events, mentorship, and more. The nonprofit organization has 350 mentors available to its members, alongside access to more than 200 partner corporations, universities, education programs, accelerators, venture funds, and others. Since its inception in 2012, more than 1,050+ alum companies are still active, have created over 14,700 jobs, and have raised more than $3.7 billion in follow-on capital.
About BMO Financial Group
BMO Financial Group is the eighth largest bank in North America by assets, with total assets of $1.3 trillion as of October 31, 2023. Serving customers for 200 years and counting, BMO is a diverse team of highly engaged employees providing a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management, global markets, and investment banking products and services to 13 million customers across Canada, the United States, and in select markets globally. Driven by a single purpose: to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life, BMO is committed to driving positive change in the world and making progress for a thriving economy, sustainable future, and inclusive society.
Join as an 1871 Early Stage Member.
Attend info sessionSubscribe to our ICYMI newsletter.
Share this post: