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DCG names Padder winner of $100K fintech grant at Startupfest

Tuesday, July 14, 2026 — 16:06:40 (UTC)

Digital Commerce Group Names Padder Winner of $100K Fintech Grant at Startupfest

Guarantor-as-a-service startup recognized for its approach to helping non-traditional renters qualify for housing

CALGARY, Alberta-Digital Commerce Group (DCGroup), alongside partners Apaylo, Outlier Compliance and Osler, announced Padder as the winner of the 2026 Fintech Grant following a live pitch competition at Startupfest in Montréal. Created by DCGroup in 2025, the grant supports promising early-stage Canadian fintechs with funding, visibility and access to investors and industry leaders.

Led by founder Daniel Moss, Padder offers a guarantor-as-a-service model designed to help non-traditional renters qualify for housing. Judges praised the company’s approach to addressing a significant market need, as well as Moss’s compelling founder narrative and clear command of the market opportunity.

As the winner, Padder will receive a non-dilutive grant valued at $100,000, comprising $95,000 in cash funding and the Osler Startup Package, valued at an additional $5,000. The resources are intended to help the company scale its operations, expand its market presence, strengthen its capabilities and build connections with investors and industry leaders.

“Padder stood out for tackling a very real barrier in the rental market with a solution that is both practical and scalable,” said Pamela Draper, President at Digital Commerce Payments, a company within DCGroup. “Daniel clearly understands the challenges facing non-traditional renters and the opportunity to help more people qualify for housing while giving property owners greater confidence. We were impressed by his vision, his command of the market and the potential for Padder to make a meaningful difference as it grows.”

The grant competition brought ten early-stage Canadian fintech finalists to Startupfest, where they participated in an initial round of live pitches. Five companies advanced to a final presentation before the judging panel, with Padder selected as the winner and recognized during the festival’s closing ceremony.

In addition to supporting the winning company, the initiative gives participating finalists opportunities to present their businesses, connect with investors and receive exposure within the broader technology and financial services communities.

This is the second year DCGroup has offered the grant. Ready Plan Go was selected as the inaugural winner in 2025.

About Digital Commerce Group (DCGroup)

Digital Commerce Group (DCGroup) is a premier Canadian financial technology conglomerate headquartered in Calgary, Alberta. As a pioneer in the "Payments-as-a-Service" (PaaS) sector in Canada, DCGroup provides a comprehensive, integrated ecosystem through its core businesses: Digital Commerce Bank (DCBank), a Schedule 1 Canadian chartered bank, Digital Commerce Payments (DCPayments) and Pateno Payments Inc. (Pateno).

With a history spanning over 25 years, DCGroup is dedicated to bridging the gap between traditional banking and modern fintech innovation. With a robust suite of payments-focused APIs and related technologies, the group offers clients unparalleled speed-to-market, customizable integrations, and secure, scalable solutions for card issuing, real-time domestic payments, and digital wallets. DCGroup is committed to driving measurable ROI for its domestic and global partners and serves as a cornerstone of the Canadian fintech landscape through initiatives like the Digital Commerce Group Fintech Grant.

About Startupfest

Startupfest is a three-day founder-focused festival, held in Montréal each year in July, that brings startups, investors, and ecosystem leaders from across the world together to connect and unlock real opportunities. Since 2011, Startupfest has redefined the startup conference, trading the traditional grind for a high-energy festival atmosphere designed to move founders from inspiration to action.

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Source: Company press release.

Categories: Announcement