A new network to boost the green digital finance ecosystem in Switzerland

The Green Fintech Network is a collective of green fintech startups, prominent data providers, academic institutions, and professional service firms, which aims drive the country's goal to achieve a global leadership role in sustainable finance. The association is launched today at the Point Zero Forum, a three-day event promotes a policy and technology dialogue in Financial Services.

A dedicated roundtable discussion at the Point Zero Forum, opened by Deputy State Secretary Stefan Flueckiger, GFN’s Honorary President, will discuss needs and challenges, solutions and options for a thriving green fintech ecosystem, and provides an ideal platform for its launch. The network has evolved from a working group initiated by the Swiss State Secretariat for International Finance (SIF), that represents Switzerland's interests in international financial, tax and monetary matters.

Large organisations team up with start-ups

The network will act as a dynamic ecosystem partner and platform. Its founding members include start-ups such as CLIMADA Technologies, Correntics, Inyova, Open Forest Protocol, Pelt8 and Sustainaccount, as well as established companies and organisations like EY, Green Digital Finance Alliance (GDFA), MSCI, PWC, SIX, Swisscom/e.foresight and University of Zurich, and ZHAW as a key supporter, with each contributing substantial expertise, commitment, and forward-looking vision to the collective.

Gerrit Sindermann, President of GFN and Deputy Executive Director of the Green Digital Finance Alliance (GDFA) says: "It has been very encouraging to see already pre-launch the broad interest and support from key players in the Swiss financial ecosystem. We are committed to collaborating with and complementing existing initiatives, and we considerately designed also our own network as a multistakeholder initiative to ensure comprehensive outcomes for the benefit of the whole ecosystem.”

Oliver Marchand, Head of Climate Research at MSCI, and an esteemed pioneer in the green fintech sector with his startup Carbon Delta, says, "This initiative has the potential to help create a global hub for green fintech, with many more companies following in the footsteps of Carbon Delta, as we grew and eventually were successfully integrated into MSCI. It can give fintechs the best chance of achieving their goals through expert support and industry collaboration." Gwen Jettain, Vice President of GFN, Co-Founder of Pelt8, and 2023 recipient of the Swiss Fintech Awards says, "I have a deep faith in creating cohesive ecosystems. In the context of sustainability, there is little impact we can achieve if we do not collaborate. The Green Fintech Network formalizes these intentions by catalysing innovation to create a growing positive impact for businesses, people and the planet."

Already regular exchanges

The Network is already engaged in regular exchanges with key platforms within the Swiss financial industry and startup ecosystem, such as the Swiss Banking Association (SBA) and Swiss Sustainable Finance (SSF). It also aims to add a unique green fintech perspective to complement organisations such as Swiss Fintech, Swiss Fintech Innovations, and Sustainable Finance Geneva.

The Swiss Green Fintech Network invites all interested parties that have a strong commitment to green finance to join this journey. More information on the website of the GFN.

(Press release / SK)