For some time now Marqeta’s five star sponsorship of the fintech talent festival in London has been a highlight of the year. This year’s was as much a triumph as always.
Taking place over two days, the event highlights some of the most exciting projects and initiatives fintech has to offer.
You couldn’t pack more talent into this event if you tried.
Putting on major events like this takes some planning but once again, VC Innovations managed a stellar celebration of all the industry has to offer. The only downside being “the lack of seconds” in the delicious dinner deli, as one attendee sadly put it.
This year’s event took place across six stages.
1. Fintech Talents Stage
With an estimated 53 million Fintech users in the UK, the digital transformation journey is just getting started. At the Fintech Talents Stage leading players came together to strategise and future-proof the audiences’ businesses.
They looked at the impact of macroeconomic challenges , new tools and tech driving change, the continuously evolving fintech ecosystem and the drive for sustainable finance.
2. FTT Open Finance Stage
The UK’s a world leader in open banking. Whether that’s solely down to the London Underground, or just a happy coincidence, we’ll never know! However, the UK government’s move to support their ambitions for the fintech industry will create an even faster and smoother evolution.
This stage explored the landscape of possibilities at our future fingertips.
3. FTT AI Transformation Stage
New for 2023, this stage delved into the depths of the cutting-edge AI revolution and its role in fintech. So, what are the possibilities? They’re almost endless.
From internal strategy, to the impacts of its application. From building & deploying AI at scale, to the true impact of generative AI.
There were success stories from the industry and a detailed deep-dive into the importance of ethics.
4. FTT Embedded Finance & Customer Alpha Stage
In an industry where products can be delivered quickly, opportunity lies round every corner.
This stage looked at the collaboration between banks, fintechs and other companies striving to keep your customers happy.
There were real world use cases of embedded finance and an exploration of the myriad of possibilities awaiting those with the courage to chase them.
5. FTT Mutuals
This stage offered a unique chance to hear from leaders of building societies, credit unions, co-operatives, mutual insurers, friendlies and community banks.
Whether it’s powering the transition to net zero, lending & mortgage innovation or digital transformation, Mutuals have a unique perspective on the industry that was well worth listening to.
6. Future Identity
Here, industry implementers, technology whizzes and influential policymakers combined their insights on the future of digital identity and trust.
We heard about the latest trends and tech powering a rapidly evolving industry.
There was a focus on navigating emerging fraud and financial crime, cybersecurity readiness and how to build seamless, secure and accessible customer journeys.
As always. with the fintech talent festival, the overwhelming highlight (other than the talks featuring Marqeta) was the chance to catch up with friends old and new.
The exchange of battle stories from the last 12 months in an exciting and fast-moving sector always provides a moment of levity, and this year was no different.
Nick Holt shared his views of the event and what piqued his interest most, as well as what Marqeta is focussing on in this short video here
Of course, the ever pressing opportunity to scrunch as much swag into pockets as humanly possible saw attendees leaving with brimming tote bags and wide smiles. Those without smiles clearly rued the fact we ran out of ‘Payments Nerd’ T shirts on day one, so apologies to anyone left empty-handed. We’ll double the stock next year.
Thanks so much to all who attended, to VC Innovations for a brilliantly planned two days, all the sponsors and those brave enough to talk on stage.
We’ll see you again next year.
