Validate before code
Sharpen the problem, audience, and use case before spending months building.
Fintech × Cyber × Open Finance
A strong idea needs
real access to market.
A hands-on accelerator connecting founders, builders, and financial institutions to validate and launch fintech and cyber solutions in the real world.
Applications are open through November 5, 2026
Built for outcomes
From idea to pilot
Define
Build
Validate
3–5people per team
8–10months of work
In collaboration withThe Fintech & Cyber track at The College of ManagementPowered by Open-Finance.ai
In collaboration with
The Fintech & Cyber track at The College of ManagementPowered by Open-Finance.aiNot another entrepreneurship course
The shortest path from an idea to real-world evidence.
We bring together everything a financial startup needs to stop guessing: market access, data, experts, and institutions that understand the problem from the inside.
Data and infrastructure
Access Open Finance API capabilities subject to licensing and an eligible institutional partner.
Industry access
Connect with banks, insurers, investment houses, and non-bank lenders that know the terrain.
Operators as mentors
Get product, technology, and business guidance from people who build financial systems.
Built in the program
Ventures that moved from an idea to a product.
Five teams, five different financial challenges. Open each venture to see its progress through the program — without exposing customers, data, or sensitive commercial details.
Financial identity and trust
OpenGrade
Consent-based identity verification and financial trust scoring designed to minimize data exposure and retention.Open the story
Financial identity and trust
OpenGrade
Consent-based identity verification and financial trust scoring designed to minimize data exposure and retention.Open the storyBusiness risk intelligence
BizzTrust
A financial-health radar designed to surface business deterioration earlier and turn it into a clear action.Open the story
Business risk intelligence
BizzTrust
A financial-health radar designed to surface business deterioration earlier and turn it into a clear action.Open the storyStarting point
Organizations advancing money, credit, or goods to a business can discover the risk only after the loss has already landed.
Built in the program
The team built an analyst environment and machine-learning engine that translate Open Banking signals into a risk score and action.
Current stage
A working prototype ready for live-data validation with an appropriate design partner.
The team
Yaniv Zilberson
Yaniv Berniker
Yonatan Magen
Construction and real-estate fintech
BrightSite
A transparency layer connecting project funds, construction progress, and proof of work in one place.Open the story
Construction and real-estate fintech
BrightSite
A transparency layer connecting project funds, construction progress, and proof of work in one place.Open the storyStarting point
Real-estate investors fund projects without a live view or a reliable link between payment and completed work.
Built in the program
The team built a project workspace, budgeting and approvals flow, and portfolio view connected to financial data and milestones.
Current stage
An MVP with working product screens, ready for a live demonstration and workflow validation.
The team
Amit Mandel
Lian King
Gal Yahav
Yossi Peruz
Sapir Gur
Personal financial wellbeing
NextStep
A personal financial roadmap that turns complex information into small, clear, actionable steps.Open the story
Personal financial wellbeing
NextStep
A personal financial roadmap that turns complex information into small, clear, actionable steps.Open the storySmart shopping and savings
Lessly
An AI system that brings clubs, cards, and coupons together to find the best discount combination at checkout.Open the story
Smart shopping and savings
Lessly
An AI system that brings clubs, cards, and coupons together to find the best discount combination at checkout.Open the storyStarting point
Benefits are fragmented across clubs and cards, turning smart shopping into manual research most people abandon.
Built in the program
The team defined a system that unifies benefit sources, computes combinations, and adds consent-based Open Banking personalization.
Current stage
A developed product concept and solution architecture, with a roadmap from club benefits to whole-wallet optimization.
The team
Roee Cohen
Yoav Shalev
Shahar Eldar
Dor Habasov
Ido Shmerling
Previous-cohort mentors
Industry experience that supported the journey.
In the previous cohort, professionals from leading financial and technology organizations supported the teams with practical experience and direct market feedback.
Three ways in
What do you bring to the table?
Choose the track that matches your starting point. Each track has a focused application and selection process.
You have a team
Startup teams
Turn an idea into a product tested with real markets, data, and industry partners.For teams of up to five people moving from problem to pilot.→You have a challenge
Financial institutions
Bring a real use case and meet a team capable of testing and building a solution.For institutions offering a challenge, pilot, investment, or mentorship.→You have an idea
Idea holders seeking builders
Match your industry insight with developers and students ready to build with you.For founders with deep problem insight who still need a technical team.→From application to product
A structured process. An outcome you can test.
- 01
Apply
Tell us who you are, which problem you found, and what you have already validated.
- 02
Select and match
We assess fit, complete teams, and connect relevant institutional partners.
- 03
Build and test
Work in short cycles with assignments, mentors, and direct industry feedback.
- 04
Reach a pilot
Finish with a solution, market evidence, and a clear plan for the next step.
Program cadence
Intense enough to move. Long enough to build well.
The program runs for 8–10 months after selection, combining independent work with consistent checkpoints.
Bi-weeklyZoom session and assignments
MonthlyFocused mentor session
2 sessionsIn-person lectures and work
Who it is for
Open to everyone. Built for people who show up to build.
Applicants do not need to be enrolled in an academic program. Development experience is a strong advantage, but deep financial problem knowledge and a need for a technical team can be just as relevant.
Before you apply
The important questions.
Who can apply?
Startup teams, developers, idea holders, and financial institutions. The program is open to the public, with preference for applicants who bring relevant technical or industry experience.
Do I need a complete team?
No. You can apply as an idea holder seeking a development team. During selection, we will assess whether a suitable team can be formed.
How large can a team be?
Program teams will typically include 3–5 people. Smaller teams may apply if they are open to adding partners.
Do we already need a product or customers?
No. We do expect thoughtful problem discovery and some initial research, interviews, or evidence of demand.
When does the program begin?
Applications close on November 5, 2026. The 8–10 month program begins after selection and team formation.
Do participants receive access to financial data?
Data and Open Finance API access are subject to law, licensing, and the startup's institutional partner. Access is not automatic for every application.
2026–27 cohort
The problem already exists. Now it needs a team to solve it.
Choose your track and apply by November 5, 2026.
View application tracks