UBS has launched a US$ 200 million fund called UBS Next that targets investments in the fintech and broader tech ecosystem.
UBS is driving both internal initiatives as well as existing strategic partnerships and external collaborations with technology companies, startups, regulators, peer banks, other market participants, academia and industry thought leaders.
“Connecting to fintechs and tech startups through our innovation labs, digital factories, future of finance initiatives as well as project collaborations has always been key to remaining at the forefront of the digital movement to drive client experiences and operational excellence,”
says Sabine Keller-Busse, Group Chief Operating Officer and President UBS Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Mike Dargan, Head of Group Technology, adds:
“UBS Next is a further step to accelerate our innovation efforts as well as to identify and apply the latest technology for our client businesses. With our investments through close collaboration with Anthemis, we widen our access to fintech start-ups.”
UBS Next focuses on enabling UBS’s key strategic priorities such as codeveloping digital innovation and ecosystem through partnerships, research and innovation pipeline management, facilitated by centers of excellence.
It also aims at modernising and modularising technical estates, leveraging new technologies, such as public cloud, microservices architecture, and AI.
In addition to that, UBS Next looks to find new and effective ways to engage with clients and deliver their services.
UBS Next primarily pursues direct investments into early stage fintechs and other relevant tech companies. In addition to direct investments, UBS enters a strategic collaboration with Anthemis.
This global venture capital firm has been identifying fintech companies for over a decade and will help accelerate investment opportunity identification and deal flow for UBS.
UBS Next will be funded exclusively by UBS and will be managed by a dedicated tech venture investment team with market-proven capital expertise.
Featured image: Unsplash
