The Milken Institute and the Motsepe Foundation have announced the three finalist teams advancing to the final round of the Milken-Motsepe Prize in FinTech (MilkenMotsepePrize.org). These innovators are competing for the prestigious $1 million Grand Prize, awarded to groundbreaking solutions that enhance financial inclusion for small businesses in emerging and frontier markets.
The prize supports cutting-edge technologies that improve access to capital and financial services for underserved entrepreneurs worldwide. The three finalists, selected from a highly competitive pool, will present their solutions at the 2025 Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles, California, in May, where the Grand Prize winner will be announced.
Finalist Teams:
- Chumz (Kenya) – A gamified savings app leveraging behavioral psychology to encourage individuals to save in an engaging and cost-effective way. (More)
- Oze (Ghana) – A digital lending platform that bridges Africa’s credit gap by helping banks assess SME risk through digitized financial data. (More)
- Verto (UK) – A B2B cross-border payments platform for businesses in emerging markets, offering 49 currencies, reduced intermediary fees, and faster settlements. (More)
Emily Musil, Managing Director at the Milken Institute, highlighted the competition’s impact:
“By supporting these pioneering teams, we empower entrepreneurs driving economic growth in their communities. The Milken-Motsepe Prize in FinTech showcases the power of innovation in addressing financial challenges in emerging markets.”
Launched in May 2024 at the Milken Institute Global Conference, the Milken-Motsepe Prize in FinTech awards a total of $2 million, including the $1 million Grand Prize. Finalists also gain valuable networking and pitching opportunities, accelerating the implementation of their solutions in high-impact markets.
