Deadline: October 14, 2025
The 2026 FinTech Challenge Program is committed to supporting finance and financial inclusion startups on their journey toward early commercialization and scaling.
Focus areas include GenAI Sandbox for Ideation in Regulated Environments, Planetary Risk Banking, Digitizing Real Estate Unlocking Liquidity and Efficiency with Blockchain and DeFi, Architecting the Future of Agentic AI for Banking & Financial Services, Unified Investment Data Layer Accelerating Integration Across Custodians and Platforms, Blockchain and the use of Stablecoin for Money Movement, Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Tailored, Transaction-Based Fraud Prevention and Member Education, Business Process Discovery and Inventory System, Deposit Growth and Customer Acquisition Platform, Strategic Workforce and Talent Pipeline, Customer Centricity & Digital Enablement, AI & Real-Time Intelligence, Workflow Efficiencies & Administration, Talent, Retention & Recruiting, Fraud Prevention & Cybersecurity, NextGen Distribution & Engagement Platform, Advanced Neighborhood & Property Risk Fingerprinting, Proactive Risk Engagement & Self-Service, and Gamified Behavioral Telematics.
This challenge is sponsored by leading corporates, known as Challenge Partners, who collaborate with MassChallenge to deliver the program. Selected startups will work directly with at least one Challenge Partner to address challenge statements and develop solutions in critical areas of financial services. The program curriculum is specifically designed to support continuous traction, corporate engagement, and guidance through Executives in Residence with deep industry expertise.
Challenge Partners include Citizens, DCU, Mass Bankers Association, MassMutual, and The Hartford, each bringing unique challenges that reflect industry needs ranging from AI-driven banking and blockchain-based financial solutions to fraud prevention, workforce development, customer acquisition, and cybersecurity. By aligning startups with enterprise challenges, the program aims to accelerate innovation and drive scalable solutions that meet regulatory, operational, and customer-focused demands.
The program benefits include one-on-one mentorship and strategic guidance, outcomes-driven partnerships with enterprise partners, high-impact networking opportunities, and a structured, founder-focused curriculum. Mandatory in-person matchmaking interviews with corporate partners will take place on January 13–14, 2026, in Boston, Massachusetts, ensuring direct engagement between selected startups and challenge partners.
MassChallenge’s mission is to equip bold entrepreneurs to disrupt the status quo and create meaningful change. This challenge provides startups with the opportunity to solve real problems, scale their solutions, and grow with the support of industry leaders.
For more information, visit MassChallenge.
