Mastercard just announced the latest cohort of Start Path, its award-winning startup engagement program, and FairPlay has been selected as one of the eight companies pioneering the next generation of financial technology.

Why does this matter? AI is playing an increasingly critical role in financial decision-making—determining who gets approved for a loan, what terms they receive, and even how compliance is maintained. But without the right infrastructure, AI models can reinforce old biases instead of driving better, more inclusive outcomes.

“My vision for the future of financial technology is to build fairness infrastructure for financial services, allowing all financial institutions to de-bias their digital decisions in real time,” says Kareem Saleh, CEO of FairPlay.

As part of the Start Path New Networks program, FairPlay will work with Mastercard and its partners to scale solutions that help financial institutions refine their AI models, fix blind spots, and ultimately improve both revenue and outcomes for consumers.

With AI decision-making under increasing regulatory and public scrutiny, this collaboration raises important questions about the future of financial technology that Saleh can speak on:

• How can AI-driven decisioning improve financial inclusion without increasing risk?
• What role will open banking play in making AI models more accurate and transparent?
• How should financial institutions prepare for a future where AI accountability is a market expectation, not just a regulatory requirement?

The International Esports Federation (IESF) is thrilled to unveil the official game titles for the 2025 IESF Season.

This year’s tournaments will feature five of the most popular Esports titles: Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, eFootball™ series, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, and PUBG MOBILE. This marks the third consecutive year that IESF has maintained the same lineup, reflecting the consistency and popularity of these titles in the Worls of Esports.

With 136 member federations organizing National Qualifiers, the road to the 2025 IESF Season is set to be bigger and more competitive than ever. Around the world, national tournaments are already underway, as each federation seeks to crown their nation’s champions who will go on to compete at the highest level.

Igor Nedeski, Esports Manager at IESF, said: “We are proud to continue our collaboration with leading game publishers to ensure the highest quality of competition for the 2025 season. The excitement among athletes is already incredible as they prepare to represent their nations on the grand stage. This year, we  anticipate an even higher level of competition as teams and players push the boundaries of Esports.”

The 17th edition of the IESF Season will not only highlight the competitive excellence of esports athletes but also reinforce IESF’s commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and fair play within the Esports ecosystem. Stay tuned as IESF continues to bring together the best esports talent from around the world for an unforgettable tournaments. For more updates, follow IESF’s official channels and witness the journey to the 2025 season unfold!