IDA Ireland, the national agency that helps global businesses establish and expand in Ireland, has announced its participation in Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2026, scheduled from 8–11 September at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai. The agency will present a distinctive European fintech proposition to Indian companies exploring international growth.
Attending the event are Seán McWilliams, Head – Fintech & Payments, IDA Ireland, and Kanishk Kumar, Country Director – India, IDA Ireland. They will meet key stakeholders and explore opportunities at the intersection of India’s fintech capabilities and Ireland’s international financial-services ecosystem.
India’s drive for digitisation has transformed its financial services sector, led by fintech innovators. The rise of UPI — processing over ₹314 lakh crore (USD 3.7+ trillion) in FY2025–26 and accounting for nearly half of global real-time payment volumes — underscores the scale at which Indian fintechs now operate. As these companies pursue global expansion in B2B payments, merchant services and cross-border finance, particularly across the EU, Ireland is positioning itself as a strategic partner for their international ambitions.
Ireland’s financial-services ecosystem strengthens that offer. Home to 22 of the world’s top 25 financial institutions and a strong fintech cluster that includes Mastercard, PayPal, Stripe and Fiserv, the country provides deep industry expertise, robust regulatory infrastructure and direct access to the wider EU market.
The outreach also coincides with Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union (July–December 2026). With competitiveness, the Single Market and financial-sector priorities on its agenda, the Presidency places Ireland at the centre of conversations shaping Europe’s economic and financial landscape.
Speaking on IDA Ireland’s participation, Seán McWilliams said: “India’s fintech story has become a global benchmark, demonstrating how innovation can be built and deployed at unprecedented scale. I am excited to be in Mumbai for Global Fintech Fest and to engage with the companies shaping what comes next for financial services. As Indian fintechs take their next steps into international markets, Ireland can provide the European platform to turn proven technology and ideas into businesses with a wider global footprint.”
Kanishk Kumar added: “Global Fintech Fest brings together a vibrant community of innovators and businesses shaping where financial services are headed, making it an important platform for us to engage with India’s fintech ecosystem. The opportunity between India and Ireland is particularly compelling — India’s technology, scale and innovation, paired with Ireland’s international financial-services expertise and access to the European market. As more Indian companies set their sights on global growth, we see an opportunity to strengthen this corridor and support their journey into new markets.”
A growing number of Indian fintechs already view Ireland as a gateway to Europe. Juspay established its European hub in Dublin in 2024 to support international expansion and serve customers across the region, illustrating Ireland’s potential as a strategic base for scaling into European markets.
The opportunity aligns with Ireland’s broader Ireland for Finance 2026 strategy, which prioritises operating environment, technology and innovation, talent, and communications as pillars for the sector’s continued development
