WMNfintech is a high-impact program for ambitious fintech founders. Gain tailored guidance, direct access to BMO leaders, and curated connections across leading financial institutions - designed to refine your strategy, expand your reach, and accelerate growth.
Applications open March 9th
An info session will be held Monday, March 16th at 2:00PM
About the program
WMNfintech is 1871 & BMO Financial Group’s award-winning program designed to empower startup founders as they scale their services and solutions in the fintech industry.
As North America’s largest fintech accelerator of its kind, WMNfintech returns for its seventh consecutive year to support fintech startups through tailored strategic connections, resources, and programming.
Since participating in WMNfintech, alumni companies have continued to scale – creating 220+ jobs and raising over $51M in capital.
Five startups will be selected to participate in the accelerator and receive support through tailored resources, programming, and strategic connections, free of charge.
Gain access to:
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- 1:1 guidance and insights from top industry experts at BMO Financial Group in their specific field
- Pitching opportunities for feedback, product insights, and strategic connections
• Six-month membership to 1871, including its space, resources, & roadmap of support
• Tailored curriculum focused on enterprise sales cycles, vendor management, information security, and risk & regulatory requirements
• Exclusive alumni network
WMNfintech 2025 rundown
Application phase
3.7.25-4.10.25
Information session
3.20.25 | 10:00AM-11:00AM | Virtual
Selection phase
Round 1
General submission review
Round 2
Selection day | 4.17.25
Program timeline
New this year, the WMNfintech program will host events across the US.
Founders will have a chance to meet various stakeholders, banking partners, regulators, and trade groups in various BMO locations such as NYC, Chicago, and San Francisco.
5.8.25 | WMNfintech Orientation
5.20.25 – 5.22.25 | Immersive Week 1 | In-Person
6.24.25 – 6.26.25 | Immersive Week 2 |Â In-Person
7.22.25 – 7.24.25 |Â Immersive Week 3 |Â Virtual
8.19.25 – 8.21.25 | Immersive Week 4 | In-Person
Eligibility
Open to fintech startups who have:
- A working, assumptions driven financial model and analytics tied to each relevant step of the customer journey
- A U.S. focused product and/or solution
- A built minimum viable product (MVP)
- A team consisting of more than 1 person
WMNfintech in the news
Our WMNfintech program & its cohort members are frequently featured in the news! Check out some of our recent clips:
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Five Women-Led Startups Selected for BMO Harris Bank and 1871 WMN•FINtech Program
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1871, BMO Bank Announce WMN-FINtech Accelerator’s Inaugural Class
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Meet the 5 startups in 1871’s first women-focused BMO Harris Bank accelerator
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How Millennials And Gen Z Could Reinvent The Banking Industry
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BMO Harris Bank Partners with Fintech Startup Hope Trust
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Five Women-Led Startups Selected for BMO Harris Bank and 1871 WMN•FINtech Program
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BMO Harris Bank, 1871 open applications for women-led fintech startup accelerator
About our WMNtech initiatives
WMNfintech is a part of WMNtech, our affinity offerings designed specifically for women founders & leaders in technology. Ranging from tailored & regular programming, mentorship, pitch competitions, & more, WMNtech serves women professionals from across the entire maturity curve & empowers them to succeed in every step of their career journey.Â
To learn more about our bi-annual programming for women professionals, check out our WMNtech Founders & WMNtech Leaders pages!
You’ll be in great company
We’re proud to open doors for women founders working in the fintech field, and we can’t wait to connect you with your next great opportunity! In addition to the program itself, participants become alumni to an exclusive community that includes financial institutions, venture capitalists, and industry leaders.
You’ll be in great company with alumni like Trustate, which leveraged the resources through the program to refine their product offering, access mentorship opportunities, and secure seed round funding.Â
Selection process
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- Round 1: General submission review
- Round 2: Selection Day with BMO
Our partner
A special thank you to our longtime partner BMO Financial Group for making WMNfintech possible!Â
