Business

New Belfast fintech hubs aims to put city on the global map

Pictured at the new Catalyst Belfast Fintech Hub in Danske Bank are: Conor Houston from Finmondo; Vicky Davies, managing director of strategy and corporate development at Danske Bank; Steve Orr, director of Connect at Catalyst Inc and Conor Logue from Finmondo.
Pictured at the new Catalyst Belfast Fintech Hub in Danske Bank are: Conor Houston from Finmondo; Vicky Davies, managing director of strategy and corporate development at Danske Bank; Steve Orr, director of Connect at Catalyst Inc and Conor Logue from Fin Pictured at the new Catalyst Belfast Fintech Hub in Danske Bank are: Conor Houston from Finmondo; Vicky Davies, managing director of strategy and corporate development at Danske Bank; Steve Orr, director of Connect at Catalyst Inc and Conor Logue from Finmondo.

BELFAST's first dedicated fintech co-working space is now open in the heart of the city centre.

Dedicated to one of the fastest growing industry in Northern Ireland the Catalyst Belfast Fintech Hub is located on the ground floor of Danske Bank’s city centre headquarters in a specially designed space next to the bank’s flagship branch in Donegall Square West.

The new space is aimed at the growing cluster of local early stage technology companies operating in the finance space, who are ambitious to scale and expand into new markets.

Finmondo, a fintech company run by Conor Logue and Conor Houston, has been announced at the first member company to join the start-up hub, with others expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks.

The space offers 24/7 access for members and features dedicated office suites, permanent desks, hotdesking space, a break out coffee area and a unique event space inside a former safe that can seat up to 50 people for meet-ups and workshops. It also provides members access to a dedicated Danske Bank growth Adviser and community manager, as well as the networks of both Danske and Catalyst.

The Catalyst Fintech Hub is the first time Catalyst has had a presence Belfast’s city centre, with members also able to access the other sites in Derry, Ballymena, Letterkenny and the Titanic Quarter.

Steve Orr, director of Connect at Catalyst Inc hailed the opening of the "fantastic" new working space.

"This is an exciting opportunity for Belfast and the wider region to grow our existing fintech sector by nurturing, supporting and encouraging fintech entrepreneurs and innovators," he said.

"We are delighted to be partnering with Danske Bank, and harnessing the experience, knowledge and networks from both organisations we believe will unlock many opportunities for entrepreneurs and innovators across the sector.”

Vicky Davies, managing director of strategy and corporate development at Danske Bank added:

“The potential of the fintech sector in Northern Ireland is yet to be fully realised, but we believe there is a real opportunity for local start-ups and financial institutions to work together to put it on the global map."