Luxembourg, February 2026 – The Luxembourg House of Financial Technology (LHoFT) announces a major evolution of the Catapult: Inclusion SE Asia program with the launch of its first dedicated investment fund, delivered through NextFin Asia. Launched in partnership with the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade (MFA), and ADB Ventures, the venture capital arm of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Catapult: Inclusion SE Asia 3.0 aims to strengthen Luxembourg’s role in supporting scalable fintech solutions across Southeast Asia.

After proving the model in its first two editions, the third edition of Catapult SE Asia will change the game. By introducing direct funding, the program evolves from a pure acceleration initiative into a regional platform that combines capital, expertise, and market access to support fintechs tackling development and financial inclusion challenges across ASEAN.

From Acceleration to Funding: A New Chapter

Building on the success of its previous editions, Catapult: Inclusion SE Asia 3.0 will support a selected cohort of high-potential fintech startups operating across ASEAN. For the first time, participating startups will benefit not only from tailored acceleration, mentorship and institutional partnerships, but also from direct investment opportunities through the newly launched NextFin Asia Fund, designed to finance and support founders to scale faster and more sustainably. Beyond capital, Catapult: Inclusion SE Asia 3.0 graduates will gain tailored strategic guidance and critical deployment support to help accelerate their market access, enhance brand visibility and strengthen impact measurement to ensure effective scaling. The 2026 edition will unfold across two key global and regional milestones:

• June 2026 – Luxembourg, marking the official global launch and institutional engagement phase in one of the main Financial hubs in the world.
• November 2026 – Singapore FinTech Festival, positioning Catapult: Inclusion SE Asia at the heart of the region’s fintech ecosystem.

A Strategic Partnership for Regional Impact

The collaboration between the MFA, ADB, and the LHoFT Foundation reflects a shared commitment to fostering inclusive, resilient and innovative financial ecosystems in Southeast Asia.

ADB brings deep regional expertise, development finance capabilities and a strong focus on scalable, impact-driven innovation. Combined with Luxembourg’s long-standing leadership in sustainable finance and fintech innovation, the partnership creates a powerful platform to support startups addressing challenges in financial inclusion, climate finance, SME finance, digital infrastructure and beyond.

ADB plays a critical role in advancing inclusive growth across Asia and the Pacific through loans, grants and technical assistance, supporting countries where access to finance remains a key barrier to development. ADB Ventures, as ADB’s venture arm, complements this mission by investing in early-stage technology companies whose breakthrough innovations have  strong potential to scale and create development impact. 

Luxembourg’s Commitment to Inclusive Finance and Innovation

Luxembourg continues to be a global leader in sustainable and inclusive finance, allocating 1% of its Gross National Income to Official Development Assistance and hosting a significant share of the world’s microfinance and impact investment vehicles. 

Through Luxembourg’s value chain, know-how, expertise, and major financial stakeholders, Catapult SE Asia builds on this foundation, reinforcing Luxembourg’s position as a major financial hub connecting capital, innovation, and development impact.

Since its inception, the Catapult program has supported 115 fintechs from emerging markets across Africa and Asia, helping them scale solutions that serve underbanked communities and strengthen financial systems.

Voices from the Partnership

“Luxembourg has long established itself as a center for sustainable and innovative finance. I am pleased about this new partnership with the LHoFT and ADB Ventures, which brings together Luxembourg’s financial expertise, regional insight and investment capacity to scale inclusive innovation across Southeast Asia. Through the NextFin Asia programme, we are supporting local entrepreneurs and start-ups, while using public investment strategically to mobilise private capital alongside it. This is how strong partnerships, through innovation, translate into tangible impact on the ground,” said Xavier Bettel, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs. 

“Through this partnership with the Luxembourg MFA and the LHoFT Foundation, we are combining catalytic capital with market‑readiness support to help fintech founders scale solutions that advance financial inclusion across Southeast Asia. NextFin Asia strengthens our shared commitment to expanding access to finance for MSMEs and underserved communities in the region,” said Isabel Chatterton, Director General of ADB’s Private Sector Operations Department.

“It’s a World first initiative. A Development Bank partnering with a Fintech Accelerator, to drive financial inclusion and social impact, by investing first hand in innovative fintechs, it’s bold, it’s unique. The NextFin Asia Fund is the result of the trust from Luxembourg’s Government and ADB’s towards the Catapult SE Asia program. And it definitely reflects the amazing quality of the entrepreneurs and partners taking part in it. I am confident that NextFin Asia will become the key catalyst for inclusive finance and innovation in Asia. And we are very excited at the LHoFT to take part in such an endeavor,” said Alex Panican, Deputy CEO of the Luxembourg House of Financial Technology – LHoFT.

A Program Designed to Scale Impact

Catapult SE Asia 3.0 will offer:

• Tailored acceleration and mentoring

• Direct access to institutional partners and regional stakeholders

• Exposure to investors and potential co-investors

• Investment opportunities through the NextFin Asia Fund

The program continues to act as a bridge between Southeast Asia and Europe, fostering cross-regional collaboration and enabling fintechs to scale solutions that address the needs of underserved populations.

Applications

Fintech startups actively operating in or targeting Southeast Asia are invited to apply. Eligible sectors include (but are not limited to): Digital Payments, Financial Inclusion, Climate and Green Finance, InsurTech, AgriTech, SME Finance, RegTech and Digital Infrastructure.

Applicants must be based in or active within ASEAN countries, with business stages ranging from MVP to growth-stage companies. Funding stages from pre-seed to Series A are accepted.

Application details and timeline will be announced soon.

APPLY HERE: https://lhoft.com/programs/catapult-acceleration-programs/catapult-financial-inclusion/catapult-inclusion-asia/3rd-edition-2026-asia/

Follow us on LinkedIn for updates throughout the program:

www.linkedin.com/company/the-lhoft 

About the LHoFT Foundation

The LHoFT Foundation is a public-private sector initiative that drives technology innovation for Luxembourg’s financial services industry, connecting the domestic and international fintech community to develop solutions that shape the world of tomorrow. The LHoFT Foundation offers an innovation platform that provides fintech startups with access to talent, expertise, funding, and market opportunities. The LHoFT Foundation also works with government agencies, regulators, and industry associations to foster a supportive and inclusive fintech ecosystem in Luxembourg. 

For more information, please visit: https://lhoft.com/    

About the Asian Development Bank (ADB)

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a leading multilateral development bank supporting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members—50 from the region.

For more information, please visit: https://www.adb.org/ 

About ADB Ventures 

ADB Ventures is the venture arm of the Asian Development Bank, supporting technology-driven startups that deliver measurable social, climate, and development impact across Asia and the Pacific. It provides early-stage capital, strategic support, and access to ADB’s network, helping startups scale innovative solutions in sectors such as inclusive fintech, climate tech, sustainable agriculture, and clean energy. By crowding-in private capital for sustainable development, ADB Ventures accelerates progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals in emerging markets.

For more information, please visit: https://ventures.adb.org/

Discover this article at its source: NextFin Asia: A New Dedicated Fund for the Catapult: Inclusion SE Asia Program to Further Scale Inclusive Finance Fintechs in ASEAN.  – From LHoFT, connecting Luxembourg’s fintech ecosystem to the world.

Luxembourg, November 27, 2025 – Proximus NXT is taking the next step in the rollout of artificial intelligence by partnering with Mistral AI, France’s first “decacorn”, to launch a comprehensive AI offering targeting not only the Benelux region but also other European countries.

This partnership gives organizations access to solutions such as I Studio, Le Chat and Mistral Code, developed by Mistral AI, while allowing them to leverage Proximus NXT’s AI expertise and secure infrastructure.

The Power of Mistral AI

Offered as a turnkey solution, it is hosted by Proximus NXT. The solution is designed for organizations wishing to harness the power of Mistral AI’s suite of artificial intelligence products while relying on a sovereign infrastructure.

The aim of this offering remains unchanged: to make AI “Made in & for Europe” accessible – highperforming, scalable, secure and truly sovereign.

Tangible Benefits for Organizations

With this solution, organizations can manage the deployment of their AI use cases – such as internal assistants, document automation, customer support, data analysis, decision support, workflow optimization, etc. – without compromising confidentiality, flexibility or performance.

Proximus NXT provides guidance for the deployment and end-to-end management of the technical environment, including supervision, security, backup, updates and performance monitoring. This allows organizations to focus on applying AI solutions to optimize productivity and improve customer satisfaction.

The approach is built on sovereign, secure data and cloud infrastructures that meet the highest standards in terms of performance, cybersecurity and data protection.

“We are delighted to work with Proximus NXT to make our products available within a sovereign, high-performance framework that meets the requirements of the European market,” says Marjorie Janiewicz, Global Head of Revenue of Mistral AI.

“Artificial intelligence is a powerful driver of competitiveness, but it must remain controlled, secure, and accessible. Together with Mistral AI, we offer organizations a high-performance, sovereign solution that can adapt to their needs, whether they operate in the Benelux or in other European countries,” explains Fabrice De Windt, Interim Enterprise Market Lead at Proximus.

European AI for a global world

By making Mistral AI’s solutions available as managed services, Proximus NXT strengthens its position as a key player in Europe’s digital transformation.

“Launched in Luxembourg, this alliance paves the way for responsible and pragmatic adoption of generative AI for all organizations,” emphasizes Gérard Hoffmann, CEO of Proximus Luxembourg.

This initiative illustrates a strong vision: that of an AI that is high-performing, controlled and tailored to local needs, yet global in its reach.

About Proximus NXT

Proximus NXT Luxembourg supports all organizations in their digital transformation, by providing holistic ICT & Telecommunication solutions, as well as tailored managed services. With our partners and customers, we co-create opportunities and enable growth in a secure and sustainable manner. As a result of our unique expertise in next-gen IT services, mobile and advanced connectivity, we help our customers achieve their ambitions and realize their vision. Together with them and our partners we implement sovereign and trusted solutions that make people work smarter. www.proximusnxt.lu

About Mistral AI

Mistral AI is a pioneer company in generative artificial intelligence, empowering the world with the tools to build and benefit from the most transformative technology of our time. The company democratizes AI through high-performance, optimized, and cutting-edge open-source models, products and solutions as well as end-to-end infrastructure with Mistral Compute. Headquartered in France and independent, Mistral AI defends a decentralized and transparent approach to technology, with a strong global presence in the United States, United Kingdom, and Singapore.www.mistral.ai

Press [email protected] [email protected]

Discover this article at its source: Proximus NXT and Mistral AI – From LHoFT, connecting Luxembourg’s fintech ecosystem to the world.

Catapult: BankTech Inaugural Edition Wraps Up – Depowise Crowned Winner

Accelerating Depositary Banking Innovation in Luxembourg

Luxembourg, 24.10.2025 – The Luxembourg House of Financial Technology (LHoFT) today announced the conclusion of the highly successful inaugural edition of Catapult: BankTech – Depositary Banking Edition. After five intensive days focused on high-impact acceleration, the program culminated with Depowise being selected as the overall winner, marking a significant step forward in digitalizing one of Europe’s most vital financial sectors.

Program Objectives: Catalyzing Innovation for a Global Hub

Co-sponsored by the ABBL (Luxembourg Bankers’ Association), Catapult: BankTech was designed as a dynamic, one-week bootcamp for ten exceptional fintech companies ranging from Seed to Series A stages. The overarching mission was to actively connect cutting-edge technology with the established expertise of Luxembourg’s financial institutions to fast-track digital transformation within the specialized field of depositary banking.

The program was strategically structured around three core pillars essential for future operational excellence:

• Regulatory Compliance & Governance (RegTech): Solutions focused on automating processes, ensuring robust data governance, and implementing tailored risk controls.
• Data Acquisition & Process Automation Platforms: Leveraging AI and automation to streamline data handling, integration, and document processing across complex financial workflows.
• Secure Communication & Asset Servicing Ecosystem Integration: Enabling seamless, standardized, and secure data exchange between financial institutions and stakeholders in asset servicing and fund management.

This targeted approach addressed the need for innovation in Luxembourg, which manages €585 billion in private banking assets and maintains one of Europe’s most sophisticated depositary banking ecosystems. The LHoFT and ABBL’s partnership ensures that the solutions developed are grounded in the real industry needs of the local market.

Key Partnerships: The Engine of Success

The success of the Catapult program is built on the strong collaboration between the LHoFT, which provides a crucial bridge between innovative startups and the financial sector, and the ABBL, representing the core of the banking industry.

“In partnership with the ABBL, this program connects startups to key players in depository banking—helping them shape solutions around real industry needs, not assumptions,” noted Nasir Zubairi, CEO of the LHoFT.

This collaboration provided the participating fintechs with unparalleled access to industry decision-makers, mentors, and potential clients, giving them a rapid pathway to commercial scaling within this specialized EU financial centre.

The Participants & The Delivery: Intense Acceleration

Ten innovative firms from around the globe were selected to participate, each bringing a unique solution to the challenges faced by depositary banks.

The cohort included:

Alphaguard – Platform redefining financial crime compliance using AI Agents that replicate and enhance human analyst capabilities.
Altilia – Leading intelligent automation software on a mission to democratize the use of AI to help enterprises automate document-intensive business processes.
Depowise – AI-powered oversight & safekeeping automation solution
Fund Recs– Cloud-based reconciliation software that liberates financial professionals from complex data processing for enhanced data analytics.
Fundvis – A central, compliant fund oversight platform that digitalizes and automates administrative workflows and data processing for all investment fund stakeholders.
Mopso – Regtech startup dedicated to fighting money laundering supporting banks and financial institutions in assessing and identifying potential critical connections among their customers.
Rejustify – AI-enhanced data orchestration engine that automates data preparation from scattered sources, creating a data mesh to streamline data-driven decision-making with a low-code/no-code semantic layer.
STP SuisseTechPartners – Flagship product, PMplus, provides comprehensive Portfolio and Fund Management solutions for asset managers, wealth, family offices and financial servicers.
U-Reg – Unifies and simplifies onboarding, compliance, and regulatory reporting to transform operational complexity into seamless efficiency.
Wecan – Decentralized data security & compliance platform.

Over the course of the week, the innovators engaged in classroom tutorials, expert talks, personalized one-to-one meetings, and intensive mentorship engagements.

The week culminated in a high-stakes final pitch session delivered to a distinguished panel of industry leaders: Nasir Zubairi, Ananda Kautz, Brenda Bol, Vincent Willem, and Raoul Mulheims. These leaders assessed the solutions based on innovation, market viability, and impact potential within the Luxembourg ecosystem.

Following the evaluations, Depowise was recognized for its exceptional performance throughout the entire program and crowned the ultimate winner. Additionally, a special “coup de coeur” (favourite) award was presented to Altilia for their standout pitch and solution.

The program successfully demonstrated that the future of banking isn’t coming; it’s already being built—right here, in Luxembourg.

THE HIGHLIGHTS

Discover this article at its source: Catapult: BankTech Inaugural Edition Wraps Up – From LHoFT, connecting Luxembourg’s fintech ecosystem to the world.

XChangeBOX Wins Catapult: Inclusion Africa in Historic Nairobi Finish

Nairobi, Kenya | 17.10.2025 – The dynamic landscape of African financial technology witnessed a major milestone this week as the 8th edition of Catapult: Inclusion Africa concluded at the SAM – African Inclusive Finance Week in Nairobi. Stealing the spotlight from a field of exceptional innovators, XChangeBOX, led by Co-Founder & Co-CEO Abiola Jimoh, was crowned the 2025 champion.

The victory for XChangeBOX (MTN ’25) spotlights the company’s potent solution and its commitment to democratizing financial access, promising a significant impact on financial services across the continent.

A Catalyst for Change in the Cradle of Fintech

Hosted in Kenya—a global pioneer in mobile finance—the program leveraged its location to immerse the ten finalists in an intense, week-long acceleration bootcamp. This year’s Catapult was not merely a competition but a strategic hub designed to bridge Luxembourg’s financial expertise with Africa’s vibrant tech scene.

The core mission, supported by the LHoFT and key partners, was to equip these pioneering fintechs with the tools to scale their inclusive financial solutions, moving from promising startup to high-impact enterprise.

Over five transformative days, the “Catapulters” underwent rigorous training focused on the critical elements of successful scaling in emerging markets:

• Investment Readiness: Mastering refined fundraising strategies to attract capital.
• Proof of Impact: Learning to rigorously measure and articulate the socio-economic benefits of their services.
• Community Building: Forging a robust network among innovators, investors, and essential partners—creating a powerful community dedicated to accelerating financial access.

Strategic Partnerships Powering the Vision

The LHoFT’s ability to execute this high-level program is fundamentally rooted in strong international collaboration. Crucial support was provided by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, cementing Luxembourg’s role as a force multiplier for global development.

The essential partnership with ADA – Appui au Développement Autonome further reinforced the program’s focus, ensuring the innovations developed are directly relevant to the microfinance and financial inclusion sectors. The program also highlighted the indispensable role of its exceptional speakers and mentors, whose shared wisdom fueled the passion and purpose of every participant.

Beyond the Trophy: Inspiring the Future Cohort

While XChangeBOX took the ultimate prize, the LHoFT celebrated all nine finalists, emphasizing that their commitment already marks them as true drivers of change. The exceptional cohort included: Credit Jambo Ltd., Dots for Inc., eQUB, nesti, Pepea Capital, PressPayNg, Smart Ikigega, and (Yna Kenya) Her-Go Ride.

This group of companies represents the next wave of disruptive solutions addressing everything from savings and credit access to mobility and community finance.

The week culminated with a clear message: the collaborative journey, stretching from #Nairobi to #Luxembourg, will continue. Together, this powerful ecosystem is actively building the future of inclusive finance across Africa.

THE HIGHLIGHTS

Discover this article at its source: Catapult: Inclusion Africa Closes its 8th Edition – From LHoFT, connecting Luxembourg’s fintech ecosystem to the world.

NAIROBI, Kenya | 16.10.2025 — The Luxembourg House of Financial Technology has formalized three strategic MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) designed to address one of development finance’s most persistent challenges: ensuring promising fintech ventures survive long enough to attract mainstream investment.

The MoU, signed during African Inclusive Finance Week following the 8th edition of CATAPULT: Inclusion Africa, create what LHoFT describes as a critical funding bridge for high-impact financial technology companies operating in underserved markets.

Architecting a Solution to the Pioneer Gap

At the center of the agreements is a partnership with the Financing Innovation Tool (FIT), an investment fund specifically structured to support ventures that fall outside the risk parameters of conventional impact investors. The collaboration addresses what the industry terms the “pioneer gap”—the precarious stage where innovative entities have validated their concepts but lack the track record to secure substantial funding.

FIT, managed by specialist ethical fund manager Inpulse and created by Luxembourg-based development organization ADA asbl, provides flexible, patient capital to microfinance institutions and fintech companies in developing markets. The fund’s mandate focuses on shepherding high-potential ventures to investor readiness, positioning them for larger capital providers.

The MOU was signed by LHoFT CEO Nasir Zubairi alongside FIT President Axel de Ville and Laura Foschi, Executive Director of ADA asbl.

From Acceleration to Capital Access

The strategic logic is straightforward: companies graduating from LHoFT’s CATAPULT accelerator program now have a defined pathway to funding tailored to their development stage. Rather than concluding with demo days and pitch competitions, the accelerator connects directly to capital sources designed for exactly the risk profile these ventures represent.

The collaboration reflects LHoFT’s thesis that effective fintech acceleration requires more than mentorship and network access—it demands structural solutions to capital constraints that disproportionately affect innovators in frontier markets.

Luxembourg’s Infrastructure Advantage

The partnerships leverage Luxembourg’s dual positioning as both a major European financial center and a hub for development finance institutions. By formalizing these agreements at a premier African financial gathering, LHoFT reinforces its strategy of connecting Luxembourg’s regulatory expertise and financial infrastructure with specialized development capital.

The approach represents a calculated deployment of Luxembourg’s comparative advantages: deep experience in fund structuring, a concentration of impact investors, and established relationships with development finance institutions. The question now is whether this infrastructure can effectively scale solutions designed for African market realities.

Beyond Traditional Acceleration

The three MOUs signal LHoFT’s evolution from a traditional accelerator model toward what might be termed “outcome-oriented ecosystem building”—creating not just better-prepared companies, but functional pathways through the entire funding lifecycle.

For the fintech ventures in LHoFT’s pipeline, the partnerships represent something more concrete than networking opportunities: access to capital providers whose investment mandates align with their stage, geography, and risk profile. For FIT and its partners, the agreements provide a curated deal flow of ventures that have undergone rigorous acceleration and validation.

Whether this model proves replicable across other markets and sectors remains to be tested. But the formalization of these partnerships suggests a recognition that closing the pioneer gap requires coordinated infrastructure—not just better entrepreneurs or more patient capital, but systems that connect the two effectively.

The agreements formalized in Nairobi represent LHoFT’s commitment to building that infrastructure, backed by tangible institutional resources and a network designed to transform innovative potential into sustainable impact at scale.

Discover this article at its source: Building Bridges in Inclusive Finance – From LHoFT, connecting Luxembourg’s fintech ecosystem to the world.

LHoFT Appoints Franklin Templeton Executive to Accelerate Luxembourg’s Digital Asset Leadership and FinTech Ecosystem Growth

Luxembourg, September 9, 2025 – The Luxembourg House of Financial Technology (LHoFT) is excited to announce the appointment of Craig Blair, Senior Vice President and Luxembourg Country Head at Franklin Templeton, to its Board of Directors. The appointment marks a significant milestone in advancing Luxembourg’s position as a global leader in financial technology innovation and digital asset development.

Franklin Templeton has emerged as the asset management industry’s blockchain trailblazer, recently launching the Franklin OnChain U.S. Government Money Fund, the first Luxembourg-domiciled fully tokenized UCITS product on a public blockchain and using the firm’s proprietary inhouse technology. This follows Franklin Templeton’s groundbreaking launch of the FOBXX tokenized money market fund in the U.S. in 2021; the world’s first such offering from a major asset manager on a public blockchain.

Driving Fund Innovation

This appointment comes at a decisive phase as Franklin Templeton continues to lead the asset management industry in blockchain adoption and tokenized fund innovation around the world. Their groundbreaking Franklin OnChain U.S. Government Money Fund uses their proprietary inhouse blockchain enabled transfer agency platform, giving investors the benefits of enhanced transparency, security, accuracy and immediacy made possible by blockchain technology.

Regarding Blair’s appointment, Nasir Zubairi, LHoFT CEO, stated: “Craig’s appointment strengthens the bridge between traditional asset management and emerging digital finance. I am very grateful that he has accepted to join our board and welcome the contribution that his experience and leadership will bring.”

Leading Digital Asset Innovation

Franklin Templeton’s Luxembourg-based tokenized UCITS fund, built on the Stellar blockchain, is now available to institutional investors across Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland. This follows the success of its U.S.-based tokenized MMF, which has grown to over $512 million in AUM across eight public blockchains, making it the third-largest globally.

As Franklin Templeton deepens its commitment to digital assets and blockchain innovation, Craig Blair discusses the firm’s strategic vision and his new role advancing fintech as a Board Member at LHoFT:

“We are tremendously excited to join the LHoFT and become further immersed in the thriving financial technology ecosystem in Luxembourg. 

Financial Services are changing at a rapid pace. Advances across AI, blockchain, APIs and cloud technology will fundamentally change the way the asset management industry operates, and how advisors, institutions and investors think about their investment portfolios.  In the next 5 years, we’ll likely see more progress in re-architecting financial market infrastructure than we’ve seen across all of the last 50.  

Franklin Templeton is a leader in this new digital revolution and becoming a partner member of the LHoFT reinforces our long-standing 35-year commitment to Luxembourg and the belief it will be a centre of expertise for emerging technologies and financial services.”

Strategic Partnership for Luxembourg’s FinTech Ecosystem 

With Blair’s appointment to the Board, Franklin Templeton and LHoFT deepen their collaboration with the aim of transforming Luxembourg into Europe’s premier FinTech destination. This union of traditional asset management expertise and innovation infrastructure directly advances LHoFT’s operational framework:

• Ecosystem Development: Fostering new ideas and dynamic alliances to build the economy of the future by empowering businesses to establish, scale, and thrive within Luxembourg’s supportive ecosystem.
• Innovation Acceleration: Identifying critical business challenges and delivering tailored tech-driven solutions to advance digital transformation across Luxembourg’s financial services sector.
• Knowledge Cultivation: Bridging skill gaps and accelerating FinTech adoption through comprehensive educational programs and expert insights.

Expanding Luxembourg’s Role in Alternatives

With over seven decades of unparalleled presence in Europe, including 35 years in Luxembourg, Franklin Templeton has solidified its position as the top provider of cross border funds with the distribution of its flagship Luxembourg UCITs range in 57 countries across the world. The firm’s commitment to Luxembourg extends beyond digital assets. The firm recently launched the Franklin Lexington PE Secondaries Fund (Flex-I), a Luxembourg-domiciled evergreen private equity secondaries fund with $875 million in assets under management (AuM), targeting the international wealth channel. This is Franklin Templeton’s first vehicle of this kind outside the U.S., demonstrating the firm’s confidence in Luxembourg as a key hub for innovative financial products.

The Luxembourg fund represents a major expansion of Franklin Templeton’s international private wealth business and underscores the firm’s ambitions in the alternatives wealth market. Franklin Templeton currently manages over $252 billion in alternative assets.

About Franklin Templeton

Franklin Resources, Inc. [NYSE:BEN] is a global investment management organisation with subsidiaries operating as Franklin Templeton and serving clients in over 150 countries. Franklin Templeton’s mission is to help clients achieve better outcomes through investment management expertise, wealth management and technology solutions. Through its specialist investment managers, the company offers specialisation on a global scale, bringing extensive capabilities in fixed income, equity, alternatives and multi-asset solutions With more than 1,500 investment professionals, and offices in major financial markets around the world, the California-based company has over 75 years of investment experience and $1.64 trillion in assets under management as of 31 August 2025.

Discover this article at its source: LHoFT & Franklin Templeton – From LHoFT, connecting Luxembourg’s fintech ecosystem to the world.

We are delighted to announce the 10 innovative startups selected from around the globe to participate in the second edition of Catapult: Green Fintech. This transformative week-long bootcamp will take place in Luxembourg from September 15 to 19, 2025.

This unique program is designed to:

Accelerate fintech solutions that power sustainable finance
Advance ESG innovation
Strengthen climate resilience worldwide.

Meet the 2025 Cohort:

Carbonable | Carbonable powers climate finance with tools for planning, tracking, and securing ESG portfolios.

DoLand | DoLand enables banks and family offices to deliver credible, accessible impact reporting at scale.

Dunya Analytics | Dunya Analytics helps businesses assess biodiversity risk in financial terms to meet ESG goals and drive action.

Fidata Limited | Fidata uses AI to extract ESG data, verify compliance, and boost analyst productivity by 30x.

Generation Impact Global | Generation Impact Global provides a RegTech platform for automating non-financial data management, enabling compliance and strategic insights across ESG, risk, and sustainability domains.

i-ESG | i-ESG provides AI-powered ESG platform delivering global compliance and finance-grade insights at scale.

Kanop | Kanop uses AI and satellite data to measure, verify, and de-risk nature-based climate investments.

Penomo | penomo tokenizes renewable debt, unlocking fast, AI-powered financing for energy infrastructure.

Sponsor | S.P.O.N.S.O.R connects investors with vetted green projects, accelerating capital flow for climate impact.

ZERO13 | ZERO13 is a blockchain-based carbon exchange hub solving market fragmentation and greenwashing.

Congratulations to all the selected startups! We’re proud to be supporting the future of green finance alongside the Ministry of Finance, Luxembourg in collaboration with Luxembourg Sustainable Finance Initiative.

In the coming weeks, we will be introducing you to the individual profiles of each company in the cohort. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲𝗱!

Discover this article at its source: Catapult: Green Fintech 2025 Cohort – From LHoFT, connecting Luxembourg’s fintech ecosystem to the world.

Discover this article at its source: Global Findex Database 2025 – From LHoFT, connecting Luxembourg’s fintech ecosystem to the world.

SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica – A high-level Luxembourg delegation led by the Luxembourg House of Financial Technology (LHoFT) participated in the XI Central American and Caribbean Microfinance Conference from June 25-27, 2025, reinforcing the Grand Duchy’s commitment to sustainable finance partnerships across Central America and the Caribbean.

The delegation included representatives from the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, Directorate of Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs, LuxDev, ADA (Appui au Développement Autonome), and SPTF, with InFiNe supporting the coordination of Luxembourg’s collective presence and co-managing the exhibition booth with LHoFT.

Luxembourg-Costa Rica Development Partnership

Luxembourg has established Costa Rica as a regional cooperation hub following bilateral agreements signed in 2023 and the opening of an embassy in San José. With a €75 million commitment (2022-2026), Luxembourg supports Central American development through three priority areas: socio-economic integration of women and youth, climate resilience, and social cohesion, with cross-cutting themes of inclusive finance and digital development.

“Luxembourg has a long-standing presence in inclusive finance across Central America and the Caribbean,” said Francesca Randazzo, Expert in Sustainable and Innovative Finance at LuxDev. “Our goal is to build on that legacy by supporting innovation that addresses today’s complex challenges, from climate change to migration and financial access.”

This cooperation has been strengthened through Luxembourg’s organizations like the Inclusive Finance Network Luxembourg, fostering affordable financial services for all by bringing together public, private and civil society actors involved in inclusive finance in the Grand-Duchy. This aligns with Luxembourg’s broader development strategy, leveraging the country’s unique position in both financial services and development cooperation.

Regional Financial Innovation Partnerships

The collaboration between Luxembourg and Central America has produced concrete results in sustainable finance. The Financing Innovation Tool (FIT), developed through Luxembourg’s public-private partnership model, exemplifies this approach.

“We have very smooth collaboration in Luxembourg between public entities and others in the associative and private sectors, which enables us to create innovative solutions such as FIT,” explained Bénédicte Godefroid, Director of Programmes at ADA.

These partnerships address pressing regional challenges including climate resilience, economic volatility, and the financial inclusion gap that affects millions across Latin America and the Caribbean. Luxembourg’s financial sector expertise, combined with its development cooperation experience, offers unique value to regional partners seeking sustainable financing solutions.

Panel Highlights Luxembourg’s Regional Strategy

The Luxembourg delegation’s participation culminated in a panel discussion: “Luxembourg at the Heart of Inclusive Finance: Progress, Action, Impact”, moderated by Luca Mancuso, Ecosystem Manager at LHoFT. The session showcased Luxembourg’s integrated approach to development cooperation, bringing together government agencies, development organizations, and private sector partners.

The panel provided a platform for Luxembourg representatives to share their experiences in supporting regional inclusive finance networks and discuss future collaboration opportunities. Participants emphasized how Luxembourg’s collaborative ecosystem enables rapid deployment of innovative financial solutions.

The discussion highlighted ongoing initiatives and partnerships that have strengthened financial inclusion across the region, demonstrating the effectiveness of Luxembourg’s multi-stakeholder approach to international development.

Catapult: Inclusion Latam Launch

The partnership between Luxembourg and Costa Rica was recently reinforced at the XI Central American and Caribbean Microfinance Conference in June 2025, which served as the platform for launching Catapult: Inclusion Latam, LHoFT’s new acceleration program designed to support fintech startups delivering affordable, sustainable financial services across Latin America and the Caribbean.

“This program is about more than just startups, it’s about scaling solutions that empower the underserved, bridge financial gaps, and build resilience in communities too often left behind,” said Annabelle Albert, Head of Acceleration Programs at LHoFT, during the program announcement. The acceleration program represents a new chapter in Luxembourg’s engagement with Latin American fintech ecosystems, focusing on startups with high-potential solutions for inclusive finance.

Catapult: Inclusion Latam will prioritize scalability, sustainability, and regional integration, connecting promising startups with Luxembourg’s financial expertise and development networks. The initiative underscores Luxembourg’s ongoing commitment to advancing financial inclusion in the region through innovation and strategic partnerships, seeking to accelerate the implementation of inclusive financial solutions by connecting innovation with impact.

Discover this article at its source: Luxembourg Expands Microfinance Ties – From LHoFT, connecting Luxembourg’s fintech ecosystem to the world.

Law firm Ogier and the LHoFT have partnered up to support fintechs in the region with comprehensive legal and regulatory support.

Ogier‘s Technology and Web3 experts in Luxembourg are ideally positioned to advise fintech companies in Luxembourg on a range of legal considerations including establishing bitcoin treasury firms, scaling up, tax optimisation, employment benefits and much more.

To officially launch the partnership, Ogier’s team met with fintech companies at the Luxembourg House of Financial Technology (LHoFT), to discuss the key challenges and issues requiring bespoke legal advice. These included:

• attracting and retaining talent in Luxembourg

• legal structures for launching a startup

• choosing the right structure and tax optimisation

• data privacy requirements

• tokenisation of assets and Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation

This collaboration will enhance the ability of LHoFT’s extensive fintech network to draw on the expertise of Ogier’s Technology and Web3 legal team, who will also bring their knowledge to LHoFT’s innovation hub.

Ogier has a proven track record in advising on crypto and digital asset transactions, assisting fintech businesses in their growth and development.

Bertrand Géradin, practice partner for Ogier’s Luxembourg office, said: “We are thrilled to partner with the Luxembourg House of Financial Technology, a true innovation powerhouse at the heart of Europe’s fintech ecosystem. This collaboration amplifies Ogier’s commitment to empowering fintech and Web3 companies with cutting-edge legal expertise and tailored solutions. Together with LHoFT, we will help drive the growth, innovation, and global competitiveness of fintech businesses in Luxembourg and beyond.”

Nasir Zubairi, CEO at the LHoFT Foundation, said: “We are pleased to welcome Ogier as a partner of the LHoFT. As the fintech landscape becomes increasingly complex, access to top-tier legal expertise is essential for startups and scale-ups navigating innovation, regulation, and international growth. Ogier’s experience in digital assets, Web3, and financial services law extends valuable capabilities to our ecosystem. We look forward to collaborating with Ogier to support the next generation of fintech leaders.”

Learn more about Ogier’s Technology and Web3 services in Luxembourg.

Discover this article at its source: Ogier-LHoFT Partnership for Fintech – From LHoFT, connecting Luxembourg’s fintech ecosystem to the world.