IA Engine Opens Applications for Ninth Accelerator Cohort

The Investment Association (IA) opens applications for the ninth cohort of its annual Engine Innovator Programme, a FinTech accelerator for the investment management industry. Engine is the IA’s specialist FinTech hub, working with over 150 FinTech firms and partners to fuel the adoption of technology within investment management.

Technologies such as artificial intelligence and tokenisation are transforming our sector and offer huge potential for the future of investment management. The Engine Innovator Programme supports FinTech firms focused on developing solutions for investments, operations and distribution across the investment value chain.

Successful applicants will receive expert mentoring and industry exposure through the Engine Advisory Panel, made up of 32 industry leaders, along with support from IA policy experts. The programme culminates with a showcase opportunity at our Global Emergent Technology conference on 12 March 2026 in London.

Engine Innovator Programme applications run simultaneously with applications for the Advanced Access Programme, which is a separate initiative that assists scaling FinTech firms in connecting their solution to the investment management industry. The Advanced Access Programme will be welcoming its third cohort this year.

Gillian Painter, Director of Membership, Enterprises and Engine at the Investment Association, said: “Engine is proud to support FinTechs at every stage of their journey as they continue to be instrumental facilitators of economic growth and drivers of innovation in the investment management industry. Through technologies such as AI and tokenisation, these firms are reshaping operational efficiency, regulatory compliance and investor outcomes.

“We are thrilled to support these firms with the opening of applications for the next cohorts of Engine’s Innovator and Advanced Access Programmes, which offers tailored mentoring, strategic training and access to a global network of industry leaders.”

Simon Swords, Chair of the Engine Advisory Panel (and ex Managing Director at Fundipedia, Engine Innovator Programme Cohort 4), said: “I’m honoured to be Chairing these vital initiatives that champion growth and innovation. Having seen firsthand the transformative opportunities these programmes create for both FinTechs and the investment management sector, I’m excited to support their continued success and impact. Our participation in the 2020 cohort generated over £1m per year of new annual revenue that simply would not have been accessible without the support of the Engine and its panel. During that time, we received significant and material support and some really useful introductions to a number of our target clients. The ongoing support from Engine demonstrates its proactive and forward-thinking nature as well as underscores its pivotal role within the global FinTech ecosystem.”

Applications for the Innovator and Advanced Access Programmes are open and close on Friday 21 November. To read more about Engine’s accelerator programmes, click here.

Source: IA