Here's why competing in the Innovation hub can be a game-changer:

- Unparalleled exposure: The Innovation hub propels your startup into the spotlight of a distinguished audience. Imagine presenting your solution to a panel of industry veterans (think Dragon's Den style) in the semi-finals, and to a live audience at the mpe conference plenary session for the finals. This exposure can significantly increase brand awareness and establish your startup as a thought leader within the payments industry.

- Validation from industry experts: Being selected for the Innovation hub competition is a mark of validation in itself. The rigorous judging process, involving experienced professionals, signifies that your solution holds merit and has the potential to disrupt the market. The selection is limited to 12 startups, and 3 of those compete in the finals.

- Attract potential investors: The mpe conference attracts a high concentration of investors actively seeking promising ventures in the payments space. Competing in the Innovation hub provides a direct line to these investors, allowing you to showcase your innovation and secure valuable funding opportunities.

- Networking opportunities: The mpe conference is a hotbed for networking. By participating in the Innovation hub, you gain access to a network of industry leaders, potential partners, and mentors who can provide invaluable guidance and support as your startup grows.

- Media attention: The mpe awards garner significant media coverage. Winning or being shortlisted or selected in the Innovation Hub competition can lead to media exposure, further propelling your startup into the public eye and attracting new customers and potential investors. The winner of the competition not only gets an award Guiding hand statuette and other prizes, they are also invited to present to the audience of the following year’s mpe conference.

- Competitive advantage: Participation in the Innovation hub signifies your commitment to cutting-edge solutions. This can serve as a major differentiator in a competitive marketplace, attracting top talent and fostering trust with potential customers.

- Free ticket: The winner of the competition will also win a free ticket to the following year’s mpe conference and an opportunity to speak on stage.

- Boost team morale: The recognition associated with the Innovation Hub can significantly boost your team's morale and motivation. Competing at such a prestigious event fosters a sense of accomplishment and validates the team's hard work.

The mpe awards, particularly the Innovation hub competition, offer a treasure trove of benefits for potential investors seeking to identify the next big players within the merchant payment ecosystem. Here's how attending the Innovation hub can elevate your investment strategy:

Early access to disruptive innovation: Gain a coveted first look at the latest and most ground-breaking payment solutions before they hit the mainstream market. By witnessing these innovations firsthand at the Innovation Hub, you can identify promising investment opportunities with significant growth potential.

Data-driven investment decisions: Move beyond traditional investment metrics. The mpe awards provide a unique opportunity to assess the real-world appeal of new technologies through a combined score. This score factors in the judges' expert evaluation alongside a live public vote, offering valuable insights into technical and business capabilities as well as user sentiment and market adoption potential.

Connect with high-potential startups: The mpe awards foster a vibrant environment where investors can directly connect with promising startups. Through dedicated networking events and the Innovation hub competition, you can build relationships with passionate founders, assess their vision, and gain a deeper understanding of their business models. This allows you to make informed investment decisions and potentially secure a stake in the future of payments.

Identify talent pipelines: The mpe awards attract not just innovative startups but also the brightest minds within the payments industry. By attending the awards ceremony and conference, you can connect with highly skilled individuals who may be seeking new opportunities. This allows you to identify potential talent for your own investment portfolio companies or even for your own firm.

Benchmark investment strategies: The mpe awards offer a platform to observe the trends and priorities of other investors within the space. By witnessing which categories and companies garner the most recognition, you can gain valuable insights into prevailing investment strategies and adjust your own approach accordingly.

Enhanced deal flow: Participation in the mpe awards expands your network and establishes you as a key player within the investment community. This can lead to increased deal flow, as promising startups and established players actively seek your investment expertise and guidance.

Startups would be able to pitch and showcase ideas for improving merchant payments in front of the jury and the industry's most distinguished audience. But it is the jury's selection of the three most innovative startups that will make it to the main stage the next day and have the opportunity to win the best startup innovation award!

When: conference day 1 (March 18, 2025), afternoon sessions

Format: Startup pitch - 7. min. Pitch and 7. min.Q&A

Beginning with keynotes & a panel discussion with senior industry stakeholders, the session continues with the innovation hub final.

A jury's selection of the three most innovative startups from the previous day will continue in the battle to gain the title of "Best startup innovation". This time the audience and jury will choose the winner via a live voting process. The winner of the mpe innovation award will be announced at the prestigious mpe awards and proclaimed "Best startup innovation".

When: conference day 2 (March 19, 2025), morning plenary sessions

Format: Startup pitch - 7. min. Pitch and 7. min.Q&A