Axelle Lemaire, the French minister of state for the digital sector and innovation, tells Sebastian Shehadi why France is emulating the US to think globally in its bid to boost its fintech sector at home and abroad.

With a rising population fuelling demand for housing and a commercial sector in rude health, the real estate market in Cologne is a hive of activity. Natasha Turak explains how much of the required investment is coming from foreign investors.

With the UK's financial services firms weighing up their options following the Brexit referendum, could Cologne be set to benefit from an exodus of insurance companies from London? Natasha Turak takes a look

Long a centre for traditional businesses, Cologne is determined to make itself a leading destination for start-up and tech firms. The potential for collaboration between these old and new industries could be what gives the city an edge over its rivals, finds Natasha Turak 

Cologne's biotech centre BioCampus is branching out from its original purpose. Director André van Hall tells Natasha Turak why an interdisciplinary approach is the way forward.

Ute Berg, general manager of BioCampus Cologne and deputy mayor for economic development and real estate, explains to fDi how innovation and technology are vital for the future prosperity of the city.

The disruption to traditional banking models caused by fintech may be reaching a tipping point, but some investors are looking beyond the US to Europe and China, where the scale of innovation may surpass traditional expectations.

RationalFX, launched in the UK 11 years ago, was a pioneer in online foreign exchange services. Its founder and CEO tells Natasha Turak how new innovations can keep it at the forefront of fintech trends, Brexit or not.