What’s happening is bigger than just the number of people in the room, though – we’ve also seen a dramatic uptick in the number of demoing companies who are joining us for their very first Finovate. Of the 64 companies who you’ll see over the next few days, 39 of them (or 61%) are first-timers. We always prioritize bringing new ideas and companies to our events so you can see the cutting edge of fintech, but we’re seeing more early-stage startups and mid-stage scaleups in the ecosystem than we have in a long time.
Needless to say, that’s really good news for our industry as a whole. It’s no secret that the last few years have been challenging ones. What we’re seeing now is fintech’s response to that challenge. New ideas, new innovations, and new companies are taking shape right before our eyes; venture capitalists are actively seeking out early-stage investment opportunities; and financial institutions themselves are more receptive to change and innovation than I’ve ever seen before. And most importantly, at every step of the way, the industry is making a concerted effort to help the everyday people who need it most.
