Introduction
Luxembourg House of Financial Technology (LHoFT) is Luxembourg’s fintech innovation hub and public-private sector initiative. Established in 2017 and based in Luxembourg City, it supports financial technology companies through incubation, acceleration, education, mentoring, events, ecosystem access and international soft-landing support. LHoFT connects fintech startups, scale-ups, financial institutions, investors, regulators, government bodies and technology partners in Luxembourg’s financial services ecosystem.
What is LHoFT and what does it offer
The Luxembourg House of Financial Technology (LHoFT) is a national fintech hub created to support innovation and digital transformation in Luxembourg’s financial services industry. It helps fintech companies connect with Luxembourg’s financial centre, access expertise, meet partners, join programmes and establish a presence in the local market.
LHoFT is not a regulator, trade association, payment scheme or licensing body. Its role is ecosystem development: it brings together fintech firms, financial institutions, investors, mentors, government partners and industry stakeholders to support growth, collaboration and innovation.
Mission and role in the ecosystem
LHoFT’s mission is to drive financial technology innovation in Luxembourg and connect the domestic and international fintech community. It acts as a bridge between fintech companies and Luxembourg’s financial services ecosystem, helping startups and scale-ups access knowledge, partners, investors, talent, mentoring and market-entry support.
Its role is especially relevant for companies that want to understand Luxembourg as a financial centre, build relationships with banks and service providers, test ideas with ecosystem partners, or use Luxembourg as a European base for regulated financial services activity.
Programmes and activities
| Programme or activity | Format | Target participants |
|---|---|---|
| Incubation and hosting | Workspace, residency and ecosystem access | Fintech startups and scale-ups |
| Acceleration programmes | Cohort-based support, mentorship, investor access and market access | High-growth fintech companies |
| Education and talent programmes | Training, learning initiatives, recruitment and skill-building | Students, fintech professionals, founders and financial-sector talent |
| Mentoring and expert support | Access to mentors across marketing, leadership, sales, technology and fundraising | Startups, scale-ups and resident firms |
| Investor and partner access | Introductions, showcase opportunities and ecosystem connections | Fintech firms, investors and financial institutions |
| Events and community activity | Workshops, conferences, networking events, masterclasses and hackathons | Fintech companies, financial institutions, regulators, investors and partners |
| International soft landing | Luxembourg market orientation and ecosystem connection | International fintech firms entering Luxembourg or Europe |
Geographic scope and cross-border reach
LHoFT primarily focuses on Luxembourg and Luxembourg’s financial services ecosystem. It is most relevant to fintech companies entering Luxembourg, operating from Luxembourg, or seeking connections with local banks, insurers, asset managers, regulators, investors, service providers and government-backed innovation initiatives.
LHoFT also has strong international relevance. Luxembourg is often used as a European base for financial services, fund management, payments, regtech, wealthtech and cross-border finance. LHoFT supports international fintech firms by helping them understand the local ecosystem, make connections and explore Luxembourg as a gateway to the European market. It does not provide licensing, passporting, regulatory approval or payment scheme access.
Why LHoFT matters for payments operators
LHoFT matters for PSPs, regtech firms, payment startups, embedded finance companies, digital asset firms, open banking providers and financial infrastructure companies that want to connect with Luxembourg’s financial ecosystem. It can help payment operators access local partners, mentors, investors, programme opportunities, events and market-entry knowledge.
For payment firms, LHoFT is especially relevant where payments intersect with fund services, wealth management, compliance, digital identity, AML, regtech, cross-border finance, embedded finance, digital assets and European market access. Luxembourg’s financial centre includes banks, asset managers, insurers, fund administrators and specialist service providers that may be relevant partners for payment and fintech companies.
The teams most likely to benefit include founders, senior leadership, partnerships, business development, product, investor relations, strategy, marketing and ecosystem teams. Legal and compliance teams may use LHoFT connections for orientation, but formal regulatory questions should still be handled through regulators, legal counsel and licensing specialists.
Who runs LHoFT and how is it funded
LHoFT operates as a foundation and public-private sector initiative supported by Luxembourg’s financial services ecosystem. Its board includes high-level executives and decision-makers from the financial services industry, Luxembourg government and influential associations.
The organisation is not a public regulator or supervisory authority. It is an ecosystem platform designed to support fintech innovation, connect market participants and strengthen Luxembourg’s financial technology position.
Funding and backing
LHoFT is supported by both public and private-sector stakeholders. Its backing reflects Luxembourg’s strategy of connecting government, financial institutions, service providers and fintech companies around financial innovation.
| Backing or support type | Typical role |
|---|---|
| Luxembourg public-sector support | Supports innovation, financial-sector development and international fintech positioning |
| Financial institutions | Participate as ecosystem partners, mentors, sponsors, programme supporters or industry stakeholders |
| Industry associations and ecosystem bodies | Support collaboration, events, knowledge sharing and ecosystem development |
| Mentors and experts | Provide expertise in areas such as sales, leadership, technology, marketing and fundraising |
| Investors and corporate partners | Support startup visibility, funding access, partnership opportunities and scale-up pathways |
Community and participant categories
LHoFT’s community includes resident fintechs, programme participants, alumni, investors, mentors, financial institutions, public-sector partners, technology providers and international fintech companies.
| Category | Typical participants |
|---|---|
| Fintech startups and scale-ups | Early-stage and growth-stage companies building financial technology products |
| Payment and digital finance firms | PSPs, embedded finance providers, open banking companies and financial infrastructure firms |
| Regtech and compliance firms | AML, KYC, fraud prevention, risk, reporting and regulatory technology providers |
| Wealthtech, fundtech and capital markets firms | Companies serving Luxembourg’s fund, wealth, investment and capital markets sectors |
| Digital asset and blockchain firms | Tokenisation, custody, digital assets, blockchain finance and related infrastructure firms |
| Financial institutions | Banks, insurers, asset managers, fund administrators and other financial-sector incumbents |
| Investors and mentors | Venture investors, corporate partners, startup mentors and specialist advisers |
| Public-sector and ecosystem partners | Government bodies, universities, associations, innovation programmes and international hubs |
What does LHoFT do in the ecosystem
Training, education and advisory support
LHoFT provides education, training, talent and mentoring initiatives for fintech companies, students and financial-sector professionals. Its programmes may include workshops, expert sessions, mentoring, recruitment support and learning formats designed to help fintech firms grow and connect with Luxembourg’s financial centre.
The organisation also helps international fintechs orient themselves in the Luxembourg ecosystem, understand available opportunities and connect with relevant public and private-sector stakeholders.
Ecosystem role
LHoFT acts as Luxembourg’s central fintech hub, connecting domestic and international communities. It works with government partners, financial institutions, investors, universities, mentors, service providers and ecosystem organisations to support financial innovation.
For fintech firms, LHoFT’s value is practical: introductions, visibility, workspace, programme participation, mentoring, events, investor access and connection to Luxembourg’s financial services value chain.
Events and community calendar
LHoFT hosts and supports fintech events, workshops, masterclasses, hackathons, showcases, networking sessions and ecosystem discussions. Its events are designed to connect startups, scale-ups, financial institutions, investors, public-sector bodies and service providers around financial innovation.
Event formats and programme availability may vary by year, so current opportunities should be checked through LHoFT’s official channels.
How to join LHoFT
LHoFT participation is generally programme-based, membership-based or residency-based rather than trade-association membership. Fintech companies and ecosystem participants can engage through applications, workspace options, programmes, events, fellowships, partnerships and community activity.
Who can apply or participate
Participation is relevant for fintech startups, scale-ups, established fintech firms, international companies entering Luxembourg, payment companies, regtech firms, wealthtech firms, digital asset companies, financial institutions, investors, mentors, technology providers and ecosystem partners.
The strongest fit is for companies that want to connect with Luxembourg’s financial services ecosystem, access mentoring, join acceleration programmes, find partners, explore market entry, or use Luxembourg as a European financial services base.
LHoFT access routes and fees
LHoFT offers flexible access routes, including workspace, incubation, fellowship-style participation, programmes, events and partnerships. Some routes are application-based, and fees or conditions may vary depending on workspace use, programme type, residency, partnership model or membership format.
Companies should confirm current pricing, eligibility and access conditions directly with LHoFT before treating participation as a budgeted option.
What participants commit to
Participants are usually expected to engage actively with the ecosystem, join programme activities where relevant, use the network constructively, attend events, contribute to community activity and follow programme or residency conditions.
Participation does not provide regulatory authorisation, CSSF approval, payment licensing, passporting rights or payment scheme access.
FAQ
Is LHoFT a regulator?
No. LHoFT is not a regulator or supervisory authority. It does not issue licences, supervise financial firms or create binding rules. It is Luxembourg’s fintech innovation hub and public-private ecosystem platform, helping fintech companies connect with partners, mentors, investors, programmes and Luxembourg’s financial services community.
Who can apply to LHoFT?
LHoFT is relevant for fintech startups, scale-ups, payment firms, regtechs, digital asset companies, wealthtechs, embedded finance providers, international fintechs, financial institutions, investors, mentors and ecosystem partners. Participation may happen through programmes, workspace, fellowships, events, partnerships or community access.
Is LHoFT free to join?
LHoFT participation depends on the access route. Some events or initiatives may be free, while workspace, residency, fellowship, programme or partnership options may involve applications, eligibility conditions or fees. Companies should confirm current pricing and programme conditions directly with LHoFT before budgeting.
Why does LHoFT matter for PSPs?
LHoFT matters for PSPs and payment technology firms because Luxembourg is a major financial centre with banks, asset managers, fund administrators, insurers and cross-border financial services providers. LHoFT can help payment firms find partners, access mentoring, join programmes, gain visibility and understand Luxembourg’s fintech ecosystem.
Does LHoFT support international companies?
Yes. LHoFT supports international fintech companies that want to understand Luxembourg, connect with its financial services ecosystem and explore the country as a European base. It can provide ecosystem orientation, introductions, programme access and soft-landing support, but it does not provide licensing or regulatory approval.
Who funds LHoFT?
LHoFT is a public-private sector initiative supported by Luxembourg’s financial services ecosystem. Its backing includes public-sector support, financial institutions, industry partners, associations, mentors, investors and other organisations involved in strengthening Luxembourg’s fintech and financial innovation market.
Does LHoFT provide office space?
Yes. LHoFT offers hosting and incubation options for fintech companies, including workspace and ecosystem access. The exact availability, pricing and eligibility conditions may vary by membership, residency or programme format, so companies should check current options directly with LHoFT.
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