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​A new specialist fintech hub, backed by the UK and Scottish governments, will open its doors to entrepreneurs in May 2017. The hub will be the first of its kind in Scotland and will be based in Entrepreneurial Spark at Royal Bank of Scotland’s base in Edinburgh.

It will launch one year on from the opening of Entrepreneurial Spark’s dedicated space at Gogarburn and is set to become a centre of excellence for the burgeoning fintech sector, estimated to be worth up to £6bn to the UK economy. The specialist hub will bring together industry leaders and networks and marry them with Entrepreneurial Spark’s tried and tested approach to build, grow and scale businesses.

Ambition to being a world leader in fintech and innovation

This will be a key milestone in Scotland’s journey towards its ambition of being a world leader in fintech and innovation. Fintech entrepreneurs will benefit from Entrepreneurial Spark’s hugely successful enablement programme as well as Royal Bank of Scotland’s tech expertise and networks. Entrepreneurial Spark partners KPMG and Dell EMC will also provide added jet fuel to the potent mix.

David Ferguson, fintech entrepreneur and chief executive of Nucleus, said:

It's great to see larger companies engaging in fintech and supporting the growth of emerging businesses. Important lessons can be learnt on both sides and that should only be positive for everyone involved.”

Louise Smith, Royal Bank of Scotland head of design and HMT fintech ambassador, said: “Royal Bank of Scotland and our partners Entrepreneurial Spark have been leading the way in supporting entrepreneurs in Scotland. The fintech sector has huge potential for our economy so it is essential that these entrepreneurs are given all the support they need to ensure Scotland is at the heart of the fintech revolution.”

The new space the first of its kind

Lucy-Rose Walker, CEO of Entrepreneurial Spark, said: “The new space is the first of its kind and will be a centre of excellence right at the heart of the financial services sector in Scotland. We’re bringing together industry leaders and networks and marrying that with Entrepreneurial Spark’s tried and tested approach to build, grow and scale businesses – all of that makes this a key milestone in Scotland’s journey towards its ambition of being a world leader in fintech and innovation.”

First Minister for Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, said: “A year on from the very successful launch of the Entrepreneurial Spark hub at the Royal Bank of Scotland’s HQ, I am delighted that the hub is expanding to include space for fintech start-ups within Entrepreneurial Spark.

This will contribute to the immediate need for physical space for fintech companies while the wider financial services industry continues to work collectively to deliver the fintech strategy. Scotland is already playing an active role in the fintech sector and the strategy will further enhance our standing, both nationally and internationally.”

Simon Kirby MP, Economic Secretary to the Treasury said: “We want fintech businesses to succeed and scale up across the whole of the UK. This new hub will help create the ideal conditions for fintech in Scotland to thrive.”

The creation of a dedicated fintech hub is a huge leap forward

Graeme Jones, chief executive of Scottish Financial Enterprise, said: "The creation of a dedicated fintech hub represents a huge leap forward in Scotland’s ambition to become a leading, global fintech centre. This first dedicated fintech hub is the beginning of what we hope will be a network throughout the whole of Scotland, offering a range of opportunities to companies large and small, and the ability to fully integrate with the wider industry."

"Since the creation of SFE’s Fintech Strategy Group less than a year ago, there has been tremendous support and collaboration throughout the private and public sectors to get behind the push, to put Scotland on the global fintech map. Congratulations to Entrepreneurial Spark and Royal Bank of Scotland for making this first exciting step possible.”

Here's why so many fintech firms are growing in Scotland.