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FINTECH

MODULE XIII

STARTING YOUR FINTECH

About Module XIII

Module XIII guides aspiring FinTech founders through the practical steps of building a regulated European venture. It covers founder readiness, regulatory pathways, passporting, sandboxes, AML, GDPR, DORA, the AI Act, legal structures, tax, cybersecurity, product validation, partnerships and fundraising. Learners develop a realistic roadmap from early concept to investor readiness and scalable operations.

What You Will Learn

After the end of Module I, you will be able to:

  • Knowledge 6

    Understand the European FinTech founder's readiness check, the 2025-2026 ecosystem, and cautionary tales of recent enforcement (Solaris, N26, Revolut).

  • Knowledge+Skill 6

    Navigate the European authorisation menu – PI, EMI, banking licence, investment firm, CASP, ECSP, future FISP – and choose a Member State of incorporation aligned with the business model.

  • Skill 6

    Apply proportionate compliance from day one – AML/KYC, GDPR, DORA, AI Act where relevant – without over-engineering for a five-person startup.

  • Skill 6

    Set up operational foundations (legal entity, founders' agreement, tax, cybersecurity baseline, ICT vendor due diligence) and build the product (MVP, customer discovery), the network (BaaS partners, incubators, sandboxes) and the team.

  • Responsibility & Autonomy 6

    Plan fundraising from bootstrapping to Series A and draft an 18-month launch roadmap integrating regulatory path, compliance, MVP and funding milestones.

Contents

  • 7 Learning Topics
  • 20 lessons

Learning Topic 1: The FinTech Founder’s Map

  • LESSON 1.1 – Are You Ready to Be a FinTech Founder? [Intermediate]
  • LESSON 1.2 – The 2025-2026 European Ecosystem and Its Cautionary Tales [Advanced]

Learning Topic 2: Choosing Your Regulatory Path

Learning Topic 3: Compliance from Day One

Learning Topic 4: Operational Foundations

Learning Topic 5: Building the Product and the Network

Learning Topic 6: Fundraising and Investor Readiness

Capstone Topic: Your 18-Month Launch Roadmap

References and Final Assessment

Download MODULE VI

Free
Free access this course
  • Level
    Intermediate
  • Duration
    3 hours

Requirements

  • Registration on the A2FINTECS platform
  • Stable internet connection
  • Module II (FinTech ecosystem) and Module III (EU regulation) strongly recommended
  • Suitable for Intermediate or Advanced learners

Target Audience

  • Aspiring fintech founders
  • SME innovators
  • Trainers working with SMEs
  • VET learners in entrepreneurship, finance or law
  • Entrepreneurs and business advisors

Disclaimer. Material for Educational Purpose Only
The content on this platform is provided solely for educational and informational purposes and does not constitute financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. We do not recommend or endorse any specific cryptocurrency, financial product, or investment strategy. Cryptocurrencies are volatile and high-risk assets, and any investment decision is made at the user’s own responsibility. Users should seek advice from a qualified financial advisor before making financial decisions.