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Finovate Blog
Tracking fintech, banking & financial services innovations since 1994
It’s no secret that we’re facing many challenges right now. Declining VC investment, rising interest rates, and the looming threat of a recession are all obviously significant obstacles that must be overcome, but we’re also seeing a surge of innovators tackling real-world challenges head on.
At FinovateFall, we’ve seen exciting automation and AI use cases, including generative AI! We also heard financial institutions talk about their digital transformation journey and how they’ve applied technology to improve their processes and enable their businesses to grow. Plus, we met with industry agnostic experts who inspired us to be better leaders and innovators and who helped us think about a future with AI and a future in the metaverse.
FinovateFall 2023 concluded earlier this month, but that doesn’t mean that the excitement has died down. The three-day event was packed with valuable content, meaningful conversations, a reunion of familiar faces, and new connections.
And while speakers and attendees were busy talking and learning about all things fintech and banking, Finovate’s photographer was capturing the event in 1,224 pictures.
Women in Fintech panel conversation moderated by Michelle Tran with Akita Somani, Brandis DeSimone, Baanu Ratneswaran, Trish Costello, and Karen Yankovich
Investor All Stars panel, moderated by Ope Runseewe, with Lindsay Fitzgerald, Alexa von Tobel, Matt Harris, and Kabir Kumar
The financial technology landscape is ever-evolving, with innovation and creativity driving the industry forward. It’s in this dynamic environment that the Finovate Awards stand as a testament to excellence. We are thrilled to present this year’s Finovate Award winners.
The Finovate Awards honor both established institutions and rising stars that have made significant strides in delivering cutting-edge products and services to the financial sector. From breakthrough banking platforms to revolutionary AI-powered solutions, these winners have not only adapted to the demands of the modern financial world but have also set new standards for innovation and customer-centricity. Each winner was selected from the a group of finalists that demonstrated exceptional contributions to society and developed groundbreaking solutions that have reshaped the fintech landscape.
Without further ado, let’s celebrate the visionaries and innovators who have earned their place in the spotlight as this year’s Finovate Award winners.
Environmental, social, and governance– better known as ESG– initiatives are hot topics across the fintech and banking sectors. And as a fintech and banking conference, we’ve taken a look at our own operations to improve our environmental, social, and governance practices.
Below is a breakdown of each ESG aspect, and what we are doing at FinovateFall this year to support and promote a healthier environment.
Environmental responsibility
Reducing carbon emissions We’re reducing carbon emissions not only in the way we conduct FinovateFall, but also in how we travel to the event by carpooling and taking public transportation when possible.
Environmental sustainability content FinovateFall will host dedicated on-stage content on environmental sustainability in fintech. In addition to featuring demos from fintechs supporting sustainability, we’re hosting a keynote by Greg O’Gara, Lead Analyst, Wealth Management at Javelin Strategy & Research on Climate Change, ESG & Financial Services, What Do Wall Street & Your Customers Want?
Sustainable development
Sustainable Fintech Scholarship With our demo scholarship program, Finovate will spotlight underrepresented founders and startups tackling climate change, diversity, and financial inclusion. The program will also help us expand our demo line ups to include more voices, more perspectives, and more cutting-edge thinking within fintech.
Sustainable development goals Our aim is for FinovateFall to promote long-term sustainable development – in the way that we run the event but also in how it’s implemented in the market as a whole. We are committing to:
Using our content to support the sustainability of the fintech market
Developing close partnerships with charities, companies and associations and giving them a platform to promote their work in the field
Facilitating discussions on pertinent topics including diversity and inclusion, gender balance, sustainability trends, the impact on the environment, and more.
Governance
Operation Backpack We are supporting Operation Backpack, a Volunteers of America non-profit that provides brand new backpacks and grade-specific school supplies to children living in homeless shelters throughout the five boroughs of New York City. Please help us support this important work by making a donation. Even a small contribution will help!
Diversity and inclusion content We’re hosting a fireside chat on diversity, and one on financial inclusion. Jim Perry, Senior Strategist at Market Insights will discuss why diversity matters and Melissa Koide, CEO of FinRegLab will talk about driving purpose and profit through financial inclusion.
Startup Booster FinovateFall’s Startup Booster program offers smaller fintechs a voice in front of a large investor audience. The program is limited to fintech and tech startups who are less than five years old and have raised, at most, Seed capital. Participants will attend a 60-minute reception that will offer face time with investors, as well as a dedicated cocktail table and sign at the event.
Our driving force
Overarching all of this is our initiative called FasterForward, our parent company Informa’s program that embeds sustainability into everything we do and aims to help our customers do the same. With FasterFoward, we are striving to achieve nine specific goals:
Become carbon neutral as a business and across our products by 2025
Halve the waste generated through our products and events by 2025
Become zero waste and net zero carbon by 2030 or earlier
Embed sustainability inside 100% of our brands by2025
Help and promote the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals through our brands
Enable one million disconnected people to access networks and knowledge by 2025
Contribute $5bn per year in value for our host cities by 2025
Contribute value of at least 1% of profit before tax to community groups by 2025
Fall is coming, and with the changing of the season comes an increase in activity in the fintech world as organizations work to launch their latest initiatives before the end of the year.
Fortunately, our friends at FintechFutures have asked all the right questions in their latest video interview series. The clips below cover the current economic climate, fintech trends, and future industry technologies. These are all worth watching as you prepare your fourth quarter initiatives.
If you’re in fintech, then you’re most likely a numbers person. You like to see the metrics, the data, and the quantitative side of things. So we’ve assembled the data surrounding this year’s FinovateFall event to offer a numerical picture of what you can expect at the show, which is taking place September 11 through 13 in New York City. Tickets are still available at a discounted rate.
14th
This year marks the 14th FinovateFall we’ve held in New York City. Time flies when you’re having fun!
15
We’ll offer 15 networking sessions across the three-day event to ensure you have time to mingle and make meaningful connections.
59
Finovate is known for live demos. This year, we’ll feature 59 (and counting) companies demo their technology live on stage.
We’re hosting 177 speakers on stage. Those 177 fintech experts will discuss a wide range of fintech topics in demos, keynote presentations, panels, and more.
Trends in fintech move fast, and one way to stay ahead of each new advancement is to follow the minds of thought leaders in the space. That’s why, for FinovateFall 2023, we’ve gathered an insightful group of speakers to take the stage during the event, which takes place on September 11 through 13 in New York. Be sure to register soon; FinovateFall is typically our largest event.
The diverse group of speakers will offer presentations on a wide range of industry topics, including payments, decentralized finance, lending, open banking, AI, and more. FinovateFall will host almost 130 speakers. And because it’s difficult to feature them all in a single post, we’ve distilled the list to highlight a handful of fintech celebrities that will grace the stage.
Alexa Von Tobel, Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Inspired Capital
Alexa Von Tobel is the co-founder and managing partner of Inspired Capital. Prior to Inspired Capital, Alexa founded LearnVest in 2008 with the goal of helping people make progress on their money.
Matt Harris, Partner at Bain Capital Ventures
Matt Harris is a Partner at Bain Capital Ventures in New York City and focuses on investments in financial technology. He sees a huge amount of revenue, profit, and market cap shifting from regulated financial institutions to entrepreneur-led insurgents, across payments, lending, capital markets, real estate and insurance.
Jacqueline Baker, Author of The Unexpected Leader
Jacqueline M. Baker is a speaker, author, leadership consultant and advisor known for her unique approach to modern etiquette and leadership. As the author of The Unexpected Leader: Discovering the Leader Within You and Leader by Mistake: Becoming A Leader One Mistake At A Time, she frequently speaks and writes on the leadership-for-all concept.
Sam Kilmer, Managing Director at Cornerstone Advisors
Sam Kilmer leads Cornerstone Advisors’ fintech advisory practice working with industry providers, fintechs, and investors. He also leads select strategy engagements with banks and credit unions.
Jill Castilla, President & CEO at Citizens Bank of Edmond
As President & CEO of Citizens Bank of Edmond, a one-location $350 million community bank in suburban Oklahoma City, and Chairman of Citizens Bancshares, Inc., Jill Castilla is a nationally recognized innovator in banking and financial technology.
Finovate always goes to great lengths to scout and bring together the brightest minds for keynote presentations, showcasing the most thought-provoking ideas on the main stage.
FinovateSpring, which takes place in San Fransiscso May 23 to 25, is no different. We’re thrilled to host six keynote presentations from all-star speakers. Get ready to gain valuable insights, discover innovative strategies, and be inspired by these speakers as they delve into crucial topics shaping the future of finance and technology.
Check out our six main-stage keynotes below:
Capitalizing on Competitive Advantages, Avoiding Moat Mirages
Ben Clayman, Engineering Leader at Square, will offer his deep understanding of the fintech landscape to guide attendees through the intricacies of leveraging competitive advantages while avoiding the pitfalls of false market barriers. His insights and practical strategies will empower professionals to chart a course for sustainable success in the ever-evolving fintech industry.
The Global Economic & Geo-Political Outlook – What Next? What Are The Challenges & Hidden Icebergs Ahead?
John C. Hulsman, President & Managing Partner at John C. Hulsman Enterprises will offer up his knowledge of global economics and geopolitics. Hulsman will unravel the potential risks and opportunities that lie ahead for the fintech and financial sectors. Gain invaluable foresight into the intricate interplay of geopolitical factors and economic landscapes, which will equip you to navigate the challenges and seize emerging opportunities with confidence.
Understanding The Recent Banking Instability Through The Lens Of Geopolitical Risk – How This Impacts Central Bank Policy And What It Means For Fintechs & Financial Institutions
Manas Chawla, CEO at London Politica, will share his expertise in geopolitics and shed light on the correlation between political dynamics, central bank policies, and their impact on the stability of the banking sector, offering valuable perspectives for fintech professionals.
Quick-Fire Keynotes
Climate Change, ESG & Financial Services, What Do Wall Street & Your Customers Want? How Can Banks Avoid Greenwashing? Why Digitisation & Sustainability Go Hand In Hand
Cathryn Peirce, Founder & CEO at Carbon Zero Financial
Financial Inclusion & Financial Wellness – Harnessing Data and Segmentation To Help Your Customers To Achieve Long Term Financial Health In Tough Economic Times
Ashish Gupta, Chief Risk Officer at LendingPoint
The Intersection Of Financial Services And Commerce – How Embedded Finance Can Generate Over $100 Billion in Revenue for Banks
Sam Kilmer, Managing Director, Fintech Advisory at Cornerstone Advisers
Last month at FinovateEurope, we spoke with Trulioo Chief Product Officer Michael Ramsbacker to gain some insight on how financial services institutions can overcome challenges related to identity verification.
Tune in to this four-minute video to hear what Ramsbacker has to say about fraud, challenges in identity verification, and Trulioo’s global digital platform.
We see founders from across all fintech sectors at every Finovate event, and FinovateEurope 2023 was no different. At last month’s event, we gave five fintech founders a microphone to answer five questions.
In the four-minute video below, you’ll hear from Katalin Kauzli, Co-Founder and Business Development Director of Partner Hub; Gonzalo de la Peña, Founder and Chief Business Development Officer at Openfinance; Alexander Lempka, Co-Founder and CEO at Connect Earth; Elizabeth Rossiello, CEO at AZA Finance; and Anandhi Dhukaram, CEO and Founder at Esdha.
Each of these experts talks about their struggles, advice for running a company, what they wish they knew sooner, and who they could not operate without.
Europe is a leading region in open banking and open finance, and the region’s fintech experts have a lot to say about both topics. While we were at FinovateEurope in London last month, our team set out to gather thoughts on the open banking and open finance environment in Europe and beyond.
In this five-minute video, we feature nine industry leaders who talk about the overall purpose of open banking and open finance, why they are important, and monetization strategies. The clip also addresses customer sentiment– are end users really on board?
It’s impossible for anyone to avoid payments. And it’s impossible for banks to avoid payments technology. That’s why our team spent time at FinovateEurope last month interviewing industry experts on the topic of payments.
In the six-minute video below, Starling Bank CEO Sam Everington shared his view on why banks are in the technology business. Other panelists share payments sector trends– including embedded finance and super apps– pain points, and what to expect in the future. The video also addresses CBDCs and the role of crypto and digital assets and explores the role of banks.
