Fintech Fringe: Accelerating Growth and Innovation in the Fintech Sector
Fintech Fringe is the fastest-growing fintech ecosystem in the UK, dedicated to supporting the scale and growth of fintech companies. Launched in June 2023 with a festival at London Tech Week, it quickly gained recognition as an “accelerator on steroids” for scaling businesses. This initial success paved the way for an annual programme of events with Rise, created by Barclays, and the launch of Forum—an interactive platform hailed as the “LinkedIn for fintechs.”
What sets Fintech Fringe apart is its emphasis on delivering function-led, role-specific content that addresses the unique challenges of fintech leaders. By equipping business leaders with actionable insights and practical strategies, Fintech Fringe empowers organisations to drive impactful growth and achieve meaningful market expansion.
The Forum platform provides a non-commercial space for fintech professionals to connect with peers, engage with experts, and access invaluable resources. This collaborative approach ensures that scaling businesses have the support they need at every step of their journey.
Looking ahead, Fintech Fringe is preparing to expand its offerings with the launch of the Marketplace, which will profile advisers, fintechs, service providers, and investors, providing comprehensive support for scaling companies. Additionally, the consulting arm, Scale & Grow, launching in December 2024, will focus on Series A+ fintechs, delivering tailored scaling services through a collective of growth partners.
To foster further collaboration and innovation, the upcoming Innovation Challenge Series, set to launch in January 2025, will connect startups with financial institutions to address real-world corporate problem statements. These initiatives exemplify Fintech Fringe’s commitment to driving meaningful engagement and creating a globally connected fintech network.
Fintech Fringe is also active in the wider fintech community, hosting monthly events and participating in major industry gatherings like Fintech Connect and PAY360, where it runs the innovation stage. Initiatives like the fintech grad programme FutureGen, supporting diverse and economically disadvantaged graduates, and the virtual series Mastermind, launching in early 2025, further highlight its dedication to enriching the fintech ecosystem.
By laying the foundations for a thriving fintech ecosystem in the UK, Fintech Fringe is well-poised to expand its reach into international markets and fulfil its ambition to create a globally connected network that champions innovation, collaboration, and growth for fintechs worldwide.
Fintech Fringe – Achievements since launch
Since launching at London Tech Week in June 2023, Fintech Fringe has quickly established itself as a key player in the UK fintech ecosystem. Here’s a snapshot of what we’ve accomplished:
- Rapid Growth and Community Building
- Doubled in size within our first year, with a community that now exceeds 2,000 members and continues to grow.
- The Fintech Fringe Forum online platform has attracted over 370 members, offering tailored news, insights, and networking opportunities.
- Successful Festivals and Event Delivery
- 2024 Festival Highlights:
- Hosted 9 events over 4 days, including 6 conferences, 1 matchmaking event, 1 comedy night, and 1 industry party.
- Attracted 1,014 attendees and featured 101 speakers, with 51% women leaders.
- 2023 Festival Highlights:
- Delivered 7 events over 4 days, including 4 conferences, 1 launch night, 1 comedy night, and 1 industry party.
- Attracted 553 attendees and featured 65 speakers, over 50% women leaders.
- Monthly Events Success
- The Rise & Shine monthly events, sponsored by Barclays, draw 100–120 attendees per session, further fostering fintech collaboration.
- Industry Recognition
- Recognised for our practical and impactful content, Fintech Fringe is now delivering satellite events at large industry shows such as Fintech Connect (December 2024) and Pay360 (March 2025).
- Innovation and Collaboration
- Launched an Innovation Challenge Series to address real-world problem statements from corporates, enabling meaningful partnerships between fintechs, financial institutions, and large enterprises.
- Winners of these challenges gain high-profile opportunities, including pitching on the innovation stage at Pay360 2025.
- Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
- Introduced the FutureGen initiative, supporting graduates from diverse and less economically advantaged backgrounds in breaking into fintech.
- Upcoming Initiatives
- Launching a new marketplace and consultancy, backed by market-leading practitioners, to support the scale and growth of later-stage fintechs.
This impressive growth and recognition, achieved in just 18 months, reflect our unwavering focus on helping fintechs scale and grow, delivering practical, actionable insights and fostering meaningful industry connections.
