The European payments and transaction banking industry is on the cusp of its next great transformation. Instant payments are becoming the norm, Open Finance is moving into a new phase of data access, and the integration of AI is reshaping everything from fraud prevention to cross-border settlement. To drive this evolution, a single, dedicated space for innovation is more critical than ever: the EBAday Fintech Zone.
The Euro Banking Association (EBA) and Finextra are delighted to announce that applications for the highly sought-after Fintech Zone at EBAday 2026 are officially open! This is your company’s chance to step out of the incubator and onto the most influential stage in European finance, pitching directly to the senior banking executives, payment leaders, and innovators who have the power to turn a promising product into a global partnership.
The main EBAday 2026 event will gather Europe’s most influential payments and transaction banking professionals in Copenhagen, Denmark—a country already renowned for its digital leadership and thriving FinTech ecosystem. If your start-up or scale-up has a working product or a compelling proof-of-concept that can solve a critical challenge for the financial sector, this is the definitive platform for your next major breakthrough.
Why EBAday’s Fintech Zone is the Ultimate Launchpad
The Fintech Zone is not merely an exhibition area; it is a high-impact, curated competition and networking hub designed to bypass the traditional lengthy sales cycles and put you in front of decision-makers with live product demonstrations.
- Unmatched Exposure to Senior Decision-Makers
The attendees at EBAday are not junior analysts or sales staff; they are the Heads of Payments, Heads of Innovation, CEOs, and CIOs from Europe’s largest banks and financial institutions. Winning a spot in the Fintech Zone guarantees that you will have dedicated time and space to capture the attention of this senior, highly relevant audience.
- Live Pitch Opportunity: Selected finalists earn the exclusive right to present their product live to a panel of expert judges and hundreds of senior delegates. This is a rare chance to tell your story in a high-stakes, high-visibility environment.
- Dedicated Exhibition Stand: Over the two-day event, you will have your own pre-built stand in the Fintech Zone to conduct one-on-one meetings and demonstrations, allowing you to move beyond the pitch deck and showcase your product in action.
- Validation and Credibility in a Regulated Market
The endorsement that comes with being selected for the EBAday Fintech Zone is invaluable. Hosted by the Euro Banking Association and co-organised by the industry’s leading news source, Finextra, participation acts as a significant stamp of approval. This is particularly crucial for early-stage companies navigating the complex regulatory landscape of the European market. For financial institutions, the Fintech Zone serves as a pre-vetted innovation pipeline, dramatically shortening the discovery and due diligence process for new partners.
- Media Coverage and Brand Amplification
The prestige of the competition carries significant media weight. The Fintech Zone Winner receives a package designed for maximum brand amplification:
- Featured Article on Finextra: An in-depth article celebrating the winning company is published on Finextra, the industry’s go-to source for payments news.
- FinextraTV Interview: The winning team is invited for a filmed interview in the on-site TV studio, broadcasting their solution to the wider global payments ecosystem and amplifying their message across all major social channels.
- Prestige and Momentum: The title of ‘EBAday Fintech Zone Winner’ brings immediate industry credibility and momentum, as seen by past winners who have leveraged the victory for significant funding rounds and high-profile partnerships.
What We’re Looking For: The Key Themes for 2026
The focus for EBAday 2026 is on solutions that address the most pressing strategic and operational challenges facing banks today. We are seeking innovators who are ready to move from concept to commercialisation in areas critical to the future of finance.
We encourage applications with working products or proofs of concept in the following high-value areas:
- The Instant Payment Revolution and Beyond
The mandate for Instant Payments across Europe requires banks to re-architect systems and innovate around service offerings. Solutions that focus on real-time processing, Verification of Payee (VoP) implementation, Request to Pay (R2P), and optimised liquidity management in a 24/7/365 environment are highly relevant. The future of payments relies on efficiency and global interoperability.
- Digital Identity, Fraud Prevention, and Compliance (RegTech)
Fraud, financial crime, and the evolving landscape of digital identity are major concerns. We are looking for solutions that:
- Utilise AI and Machine Learning for adaptive, real-time fraud detection.
- Streamline KYC, AML, and KYB processes using modular, no-code workflows.
- Develop or leverage the emerging EU Digital Identity Wallet for seamless, secure onboarding.
- Offer innovative tools for ESG data management and compliance reporting.
- Open Finance and Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS)
The next evolution of Open Banking is Open Finance, demanding access to a wider range of financial data. We seek FinTechs providing API integration layers, advanced data analytics platforms, and new BaaS models that help banks securely embed financial services into non-financial platforms, creating new revenue streams and customer experiences.
- Next-Generation Infrastructure: AI, Tokenisation, and CBDCs
As the financial industry explores structural changes, technology that future-proofs the core infrastructure is essential. We welcome products leveraging cutting-edge technologies like:
- AI-driven operations and back-office process automation.
- Tokenisation of assets and payments for new settlement models.
- Solutions relevant to the emerging discourse around Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs).
Your Next Step: Application Details
The window to apply for the EBAday 2026 Fintech Zone is open, but it is highly competitive and the deadline will arrive quickly.
- Who Should Apply: Innovative start-ups and scale-ups with a demonstrable, working product or a high-potential proof-of-concept that addresses a key challenge in payments or transaction banking.
- Application Deadline: All interested companies must submit their applications by [Check the official EBAday website for the exact date, typically late January] 2026.
- Fee: Applications are typically free of charge.
EBAday 2026 is the crucial summit where the future of European payments is defined, partnerships are forged, and tomorrow’s technologies are selected. Don’t let your innovation remain a pilot project. Apply to the Fintech Zone today and secure your place at the very heart of the financial transformation. Your technology may be the one that redefines the market.
Apply now and get ready to pitch your vision to the world.
