The Government of Odisha and the Singapore-headquartered Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN) partner to develop an Integrated Global Financial Technology Capability Hub in Bhubaneswar

PR Newswire

Fri, Aug 1, 2025, 4:38 AM 6 min read

Applications Open for National University of Singapore - Asian Institute of Digital Finance (NUS-AIDF) Certificate in FinTech & InsurTech for Odisha-based Students. 

, /PRNewswire/ -- The Government of Odisha, in partnership with the Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), announced the upcoming official launch of the Integrated Global Financial Technology Capability Hub (I-GFTCH) in Bhubaneswar, scheduled for 21 August 2025.

This marks the first time Odisha is launching a FinTech capability initiative of this scale and global integration. The I-GFTCH launch positions Bhubaneswar at the forefront of India's evolving financial technology ecosystem and aligns with its national development objectives.

The Government of Odisha is undertaking a comprehensive, globally integrated four-pronged strategy to establish the state as a leader in Financial Technology innovation and capability. 

1. Global Learning: Odisha has partnered with NUS-AIDF and GFTN to launch a future-proof FinTech and InsurTech professional certification programme. This five-month hybrid course - combining online modules, two weeks of on-campus sessions in Bhubaneswar, hands-on projects, and internship placements - is designed to be inclusive and employment-oriented. The initiative aims to empower over 7,000 students from all districts across Odisha with pragmatic expertise spanning technology, regulatory frameworks, and business operations in Financial Technology and InsurTech sectors. The initiative will be supported by the Skill Development Institute and the Union Education Ministry.  

2. Global Mindshare: In the first quarter of 2026, Bhubaneswar will host the Black Swan Summit (BSS) India, a forward-looking global forum accelerating the adoption of frontier technologies. BSS convenes leading technologists, policymakers, investors, and innovators to explore paradigm shifts in tokenisation, AI, quantum computing, semiconductor breakthroughs, and digital infrastructure. Launched this year in Perth, Western Australia, the Summit now anchors the Black Swan Network, GFTN's flagship multi-location, global platform for collective foresight and international collaboration. Beyond the Black Swan Network, GFTN also convenes a suite of high-impact forums, including Point Zero Forum (Zurich), GFTN Forum Japan (Tokyo), the Inclusion FinTech Forum (Rwanda) and the world's largest FinTech gathering - the Singapore FinTech Festival. These forums span Asia, Europe, and Africa offering Odisha's students, professionals and startups a direct gateway into global job pipelines, cross-border venture opportunities, and future-ready digital economy networks. 

3. Global Innovation: Odisha will establish a Centre of Excellence to drive digital transformation and advance pioneering solutions. The Hub will accelerate innovation through a full stack of support for startups - offering incubation, mentorship, masterclasses, bootcamps, market readiness programs, and venture development - drawing on GFTN's international expertise to nurture a robust, future-ready Financial Technology ecosystem. 

4. Financial Technology Global Capability Hub: Odisha is also developing a strategic offshore or nearshore hub for global and national GFTN's partner financial institutions, leveraging the I-GFTCH Global Learning talent pool. These centres will transcend traditional cost-efficient models to serve as dynamic nodes for business growth and agility, enabling collaboration among startups, corporates and innovators via shared workspaces and integrated resources.