UBS invests in fintechs

UBS intends to further engage with fintechs and the technology ecosystem. To this end, it has launched a new portfolio called UBS Next, which the major Zurich bank will use to invest in digital ventures. The new portfolio will help it push forward with internal initiatives, existing strategic partnerships, and external collaborations with technology companies, startups, regulators, and peer banks, as well as academia and industry thought leaders.

“Connecting to fintechs and tech start-ups 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,” Sabine Keller-Busse, Group Chief Operating Officer and President UBS Europe, Middle East and Africa, said in a press release announcing UBS Next.

The new portfolio focuses on enabling UBS’s key strategic priorities. These include co-developing digital innovation, modernizing and modularizing technical estates, such as public cloud, microservices architecture and artificial intelligence, and finding new ways to engage with its clients.

UBS Next primarily makes direct investments in early-stage fintechs and other relevant tech companies. The major bank is also entering into a strategic collaboration with Anthemis, a global venture capital firm that has been identifying fintech companies for over a decade. This should help accelerate investment opportunity identification and deal flow for UBS.