BMO Financial Group and the DMZ partner to fuel Canada’s most promising startups in the banking sector

TORONTO – July 9, 2019 – DMZ, Canada’s leading technology accelerator, announced today that they are continuing their partnership with BMO Financial Group, with the launch of the DMZ Small Business Banking Challenge, powered by BMO.

Following the success of the fintech accelerator program, the goal of the partnership will be to continue to foster innovation and growth by identifying eight Canadian startups offering innovative solutions in the small business banking sector. 

Taking place on October 9 and 10, 2019, the DMZ Small Business Banking Challenge, powered by BMO will include: 

• An exclusive thought leadership event showcasing industry trends and BMO partnership successes. 
• One-on-one deep dives with BMO experts on specific aspects of their business.
• A pitch contest adjudicated by BMO leaders.

“Small businesses are the backbone of the Canadian economy and, as part of our purpose at BMO, we are committed to help drive the innovation economy forward,” said Hugh McKee, Head, BMO Partners, BMO Bank of Montreal. “We are excited to work alongside the DMZ to identify Canadian fintechs that are developing innovative solutions and to help them scale and grow.”

“With Toronto being an international financial centre, the DMZ is building opportunities for fintech startups to collaborate with financial institutions to leverage a wealth of knowledge and resources,” said Abdullah Snobar, executive director, DMZ. “Through the Small Business Banking Challenge, selected entrepreneurs will receive deep insight and business opportunities to create global companies.”

Applications to the DMZ Small Business Banking Challenge, powered by BMO are due by August 9, 2019 at 11:59 PM. For more information, eligibility and to apply, visit dmz.to/smallbusiness 

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About BMO Financial Group

Serving customers for 200 years and counting, BMO is a highly diversified financial services provider – the 8th largest bank by assets, in North America. With total assets of $830 billion as of April 30, 2019, and a team of diverse and highly engaged employees, BMO provides a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management and investment banking products and services to more than 12 million customers and conducts business through three operating groups: Personal and Commercial Banking, BMO Wealth Management and BMO Capital Markets.

About DMZ:

The DMZ is a leading tech accelerator headquartered in Toronto, Ontario that helps high-potential startups grow and scale to world-class businesses. Also supporting ideation and validation stage startups, the DMZ’s incubator program has been ranked number one in the world by UBI Global. Since 2010, the DMZ has helped 416 startups raise over $605.6 million and foster more than 3,820 jobs.

DMZ Contact
Ahmed Saleh
ahmed.saleh1@torontomu.ca
647-622-8674

BMO Contact
James DeCosimo
james.decosimo@bmo.com 
416-867-3996