The Mastercard Lighthouse FINITIV Partnership Program is aimed to boosting the financial services ecosystem and connects Fintech startups and early scaleups with banks, investors, corporate partners, and the Mastercard support network.
HELSINKI, Finland (September 7th, 2023) Book Salon, a Finnish payment and booking service provider specializing in hair, beauty, and wellness companies, has been accepted into the Mastercard Lighthouse FINITIV program. Mastercard launched Lighthouse to build lasting partnerships with leading fintech, and fintech-enabler startups with the aim of bringing startups, banks, investors, and advisors together to scale innovative ideas
Mastercard Lighthouse FINITIV is the leading partnership program for fintech in the Nordics and Baltics, currently working with 15 companies and five partner banks, including DNB, DanskeBank, OP, Swedbank, and SEB. The program connects fintech, and fintech-enabler startups with leading banks, investors, and advisors. Previous admissions to the partnership program include leading Nordic scaleups such as Swedish Doconomy and Pej, and Norwegian Aprilia.
Mastercard has built its success on the basis of strong technology and close partnerships with new technology providers. The Mastercard Lighthouse FINITIV Program is one of the ways that Mastercard scouts for new technology, and to enable possible partnerships helping the companies scale. Through partnering with innovative technology companies, such as Book Salon, the aim is to strengthen the financial ecosystem in the Nordics and Baltics and continue to lead in digital solutions.
“There is no doubt that being included in the Mastercard Lighthouse Program is a fantastic opportunity for us to continue our growth. As a growth fintech company, this gives us a unique chance to engage with other fintech companies, investors, advisors, banks and Mastercard. We’re excited to see what the collaboration brings,” says Harri Myllylä, CEO of Book Salon.
Mastercard Lighthouse FINITIV is a program driven by Mastercard Nordics & Baltics division. Each year, startups have the possibility to join either the spring or the fall edition. Both editions bring in partner banks, advisors, and investors to help startups scale over time.
Book Salon’s platform has over 5000 salons spread across multiple EU markets. The company has experienced a YoY growth of more than 300%, an outstanding NPS score of 70, and a churn rate lower than 0.5%.