National Bank of Oman Concludes Second Cohort of Fintech Accelerator Program, Empowering Six Innovative Startups

The National Bank of Oman (NBO) has wrapped up the second cohort of its Fintech Accelerator program, graduating six startups working in wealth management, digital payments, AI-driven credit scoring, personal finance and fraud prevention. The programme — which can unlock up to $1.8 million in potential investment opportunities — culminated in a Demo Day attended by representatives from regulatory and government bodies, the Central Bank of Oman, financial institutions, investors and ecosystem players who heard the startups pitch their solutions to potential partners and backers.

"The Fintech Accelerator program reflects its strategic shift from a traditional banking institution to an active partner in fostering financial innovation," the bank said, underlining NBO's intent to connect entrepreneurs with investors and key financial sector actors.

Over several months, the accelerator provided participating teams with mentorship, technical guidance and opportunities to test products with financial-sector experts. The second cohort produced six companies spanning distinct fintech verticals:

• Rushd Capital — a digital investment advisory platform offering Sharia-compliant wealth management solutions.
• Payce — a developer of a QR code-based platform for seamless payments and bill-splitting within the hospitality sector.
• CardO — a provider of temporary virtual payment cards aimed at enhancing security for online transactions.
• Cxingularity — a firm leveraging artificial intelligence to automate credit decision-making processes.
• Bayzati — a developer of personal finance management applications targeting users in Oman and the wider GCC.
• Aman — creator of an automated financial fraud monitoring platform, developed under the "Upgrade" program affiliated with Oman's Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation.

NBO said the accelerator helped startups validate market readiness, run pilots and forge strategic partnerships with established financial institutions before the closing event. Since the programme began, 11 startups have graduated across the first and second cohorts, with the initiative offering up to $1.8 million in investment opportunities to participating teams.

The Demo Day provided a visible forum for the startups to secure follow-on funding and strategic collaborations. Attendees included the Central Bank of Oman and senior figures from government and private finance, creating direct lines between innovators and potential corporate partners. NBO framed the accelerator as "a core initiative aimed at transforming innovative ideas into market-competitive enterprises," tying its goals to broader national objectives.

The bank explicitly linked the accelerator’s mission to Oman Vision 2040, noting the programme's alignment with the strategy’s focus on innovation, digital transformation and private sector development to diversify the economy and create an attractive environment for startups.

Looking ahead, NBO positioned the accelerator as part of a strategic pivot toward being an active participant in Oman’s fintech ecosystem, not merely a traditional lender. By supporting locally tailored fintech firms such as Rushd Capital, CardO and Aman, the bank anticipates helping build companies with the potential to scale across the GCC, support financial inclusion and strengthen the digital economy in Oman and the wider region.