Stone & Chalk opens in Victoria
Fintech Victoria chief executive officer Alan Tsen will helm operations in Melbourne for the new arm of Sydney-based fintech hub Stone & Chalk.
Stone & Chalk previously announced its intention to expand into Victoria in 2016 due to strong movements in the fintech start-up communities in the state’s capital.
The accelerator will open an innovation hub in Melbourne and offer 60 work desks for fintech start-ups. Stone & Chalk Melbourne would also direct a series of programs and partnerships to assist the Victorian fintech community’s competitive standing.
Commenting on the firm’s expansion, AustralianSuper chief executive, Ian Silk, said better opportunities would be provided across the board for financial services companies to expand their customer reach.
“The partnership approach between existing businesses and entrepreneurial start-ups will bring benefits to both sides,” he said.
“The hub provides companies with a tested formula to develop deep connections with the exciting work being undertaken by start-ups.”
Director of Melbourne-based agtech SproutX Accelerator, Andrew Lai said the start-up would receive support from Stone & Chalk which would house it within its innovation hub program workspace.
“The collaboration between Stone & Chalk with SproutX will see a new Agri-Fintech program developed, to explore how fintech innovation can helps solve major issues, and opportunities in the global agriculture sector,” he said.
“[It] is a fantastic opportunity for both organisations to leverage their respective areas of competitive advantage to create a world-first initiative specialised in Agri-Fintech.”
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