Dassault Systèmes Announces the 3D FinTech Challenge 2015 Accelerator Program

Third Annual Startup Program Helping Drive Disruptive Innovation in Financial Services Addresses the Impact of Regulatory Oversight

LONDON, UK — July 28, 2015 — Dassault Systèmes (Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA), the 3DEXPERIENCE Company, world leader in 3D design software, 3D Digital Mock Up and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, today announced that the 3D FinTech Challenge, its seven-week accelerator program helping drive disruptive technological innovation in financial services, will focus its 2015 edition on addressing the impact of increased regulatory oversight across the industry. 

The 3D FinTech Challenge 2015 will identify and nurture high-performance startups that are building new data management technologies or leveraging recent disruptive technologies, such as blockchain, to improve the competitive advantage of financial institutions.  Applications are now open for the program, which will run from September 16th – November 3rd, 2015, for the third consecutive year in London. 

“Since the 2008 global financial crisis, the financial services industry has witnessed significant customer dissatisfaction due to regulatory burdens and complexities, and this is forcing the industry to adapt and evolve,” said Guillaume Dufour, Vice President, Financial and Business Services Industry, Dassault Systèmes.  “Dassault Systèmes has 30 years of technology know-how and experience in helping companies in regulated industries embrace disruptive innovation and change.  The 3D FinTech Challenge enables us to collaborate with the financial industry, share our heritage and drive customer centric innovations that help institutions thrive in the face of industry transformation.” 

This year’s theme was selected by senior executives from leading financial institutions to ensure that the 3D FinTech Challenge 2015 delivers solutions that address their everyday challenges.  They will also select the six finalists who will benefit from master classes, ongoing commercial mentoring from Dassault Systèmes and leading global financial institutions, as well as technical and legal support from industry experts.  On the Finals Day—November 3rd, 2015—the finalists will present their solutions to these executives and experts as well as to venture capitalists, regulators, journalists and government officials.  The winner will receive additional mentoring and networking opportunities from the global financial services ecosystem to accelerate its development.

A key difference with this year’s 3D FinTech Challenge is that Dassault Systèmes is hosting the program in partnership with Deutsche Börse, one of the world's leading data and technology service providers for the securities industry, bringing additional expertise, resources and networks to the program.  Unlike other accelerator programs, Dassault Systèmes and Deutsche Börse do not take equity in the startups. Invest Northern Ireland returns as sponsor.

“For the last two consecutive years, I have mentored finalist teams on the 3D FinTech Challenge and witnessed the positive outcomes achieved during the program,” said Brendan Bradley, Chief Innovation Officer, Deutsche Börse.  “In our bid to drive customer centric and disruptive innovation, Deutsche Börse is proud to strengthen its commitment to the next wave of high-performance startups and participate as a partner in the 3D FinTech Challenge 2015.”

The 3D FinTech Challenge 2015 will be hosted at Level39, Europe’s largest accelerator hub for high-performance startups in financial services, located in London’s Canary Wharf.  Interested startups worldwide can apply until August 22nd, 2015 by visiting:  http://www.3ds.com/industries/financial-and-business-services/3d-fintech-challenge/