Belgrade, April 29, 2026 — SEE UP hosted FinTech Beyond Borders at Ložionica, bringing together leaders from the banking sector, fintech industry, investment community, and innovation ecosystem for an evening dedicated to the future of finance.
As the first event of its kind in Belgrade, FinTech Beyond Borders connected regional stakeholders with high-potential fintech scaleups from Africa, creating a platform for exploring how global financial solutions can be applied across the region and beyond.
The event opened with remarks from Tipten Troidl, Foreign Commercial Service Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade, followed by the announcement of new partnerships for the SEE UP Accelerator.
Dušan Obradović, Founder and CEO of SEE UP, said:
“SEE UP was envisioned from day one as a bridge between our region and the world. We do not look only locally — we work globally. That is why I am extremely proud that SEE UP is collaborating with one of the largest accelerator programs in the world, and certainly one of the largest in fintech, the VISA Africa FinTech Accelerator, a program valued at $1 billion.
These partnerships are not a coincidence. They are confirmation that the work of our team is being recognized by organizations with experience operating in some of the world's most demanding markets.
Our mission is clear: we know how to promote the talent and innovation of Southeast Europe, connect people with vision and potential, and open doors to the places where decisions about the future of technology and finance are being made.
We believe that when intelligence and ambition are combined with the right mentors, capital, and partners, borders cease to exist.
SEE UP is a platform that brings together founders, investors, corporations, and institutions with a shared goal of building a sustainable innovation network that creates long-term value for the entire region. Smart partnerships are always welcome, because progress is never an individual sport. I invite everyone who shares our vision to join us on this journey.”
The event also featured an inspiring keynote by Gregor Bierent, CEO of NF Innova, who presented key banking and technology trends expected to shape the years ahead. His keynote provided a strong introduction to digital transformation, the modernization of financial institutions, and changing customer expectations.
The event welcomed five high-potential fintech scaleups from the Visa Africa FinTech Accelerator — Credable Group, ToumAI, Synapse Analytics, PayTic, and Shiga Digital Holdings Limited. The companies presented innovative solutions across credit infrastructure, artificial intelligence, analytics, payment systems, and financial inclusion.
Their presence generated significant interest among attendees, while the networking session that followed created opportunities for meaningful conversations and meetings with representatives of companies, financial institutions, investors, and potential partners from across the region.
Digital Banks vs. Traditional Banks – Who Is Shaping the Future of Finance?
The central part of the evening was a high-level panel discussion exploring one of the most relevant questions facing the financial sector today: Digital Banks vs. Traditional Banks – Who Is Shaping the Future of Finance?
Representing traditional banking were:
Zorana Branković, COTO, Banca Intesa
Petar Jovanović, CEO, AikBank
Representing digital players were:
Nadeem Juma, CEO, Credable Group, Tanzania
Anton Mozgovoy, CEO, Holyheld, Switzerland
The discussion was moderated by Nenad Subotić from Payten, who brought extensive experience in the payments industry and a deep understanding of the fintech market. Through focused questions and an engaging approach, he encouraged the panelists to share valuable insights and address some of the most pressing issues shaping the future of finance.
The audience heard an open exchange of views on regulation, customer trust, the speed of innovation, technological infrastructure, partnerships between banks and fintech companies, and whether the future belongs to traditional institutions or agile digital players.
The discussion made one thing clear: the future of finance will not belong exclusively to one side, but to those who can collaborate, innovate, and adapt to changing customer expectations.
“I believe that in the near future, we will no longer talk about the traditional versus digital divide. The level of advancement and digitalization of traditional banks in recent years has gradually blurred these boundaries. The focus is shifting from ‘who is who’ to who can deliver a better customer experience, greater security, and more relevant services — and who can make the best use of technology to achieve this,” said Zorana Branković, Member of the Executive Board and Director of Operations Management and Transformation at Banca Intesa.
Petar Jovanović, CEO of AikBank, added:
“Customer and regulatory trust, experience in risk management, and the reach that traditional banks have cannot be built overnight. They are the foundation of our business and we will continue investing in them, but the next phase of banking development requires us to take additional steps forward. Today, customers expect speed, simplicity, and a digital experience at the level provided by the best technology companies. That is why continuous investment in innovation, partnerships, and new technologies is essential for further growth, so that we remain relevant to a new era and new generations of customers. This is the direction we have chosen at AikBank.”
Fireside Chat with Visa Africa FinTech Accelerator
The programme also featured a fireside chat with representatives of the Visa Africa FinTech Accelerator, one of the world's leading fintech startup programs, valued at $1 billion.
The conversation was moderated by Teodora Pećanac, Marketing Director at SEE UP, who led the discussion with James Ashton-Smith from Visa on global investment trends and the future of the fintech sector.
The fireside chat offered a global perspective on the evolution of fintech, the investment landscape, and the opportunities emerging at the intersection of technology and financial services.
SEE UP would like to thank all speakers, guests, startup companies, and partners who contributed to the success of FinTech Beyond Borders, with special appreciation to our partners at ARC – American Resource Center, who provided the venue and supported the organization of the event.
The strong attendance, engaged audience, and conversations that continued long after the official programme concluded demonstrated Belgrade’s potential to become an important meeting point for global fintech innovation and the regional market.