Fintech For All Competition

Fintech For All was a competition to find fintech startups that make financial services work for everyone

Access to financial services is an important part of everyday life. However, millions of people in the UK don’t have a bank account, or have less than £500 in savings, or can’t access affordable credit. As a result they struggle to manage their money and prepare for the future.

At the same time, the UK is No.1 for fintech globally. The best startups in the world are based here and they are revolutionising financial services.

Fintech For All is an opportunity to showcase how this innovation can contribute to solving financial inclusion and improving the financial capability of people in the UK.

 

APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED

 

Fintech For All – The Challenge

Who our judges were

DAVID HAIGH

Executive Director for UK Financial Capability, Money Advice Service

CHRIS POND

Vice-Chair, Financial Inclusion Commission

BINDI KARIA

Innovation Expert, Advisor and Super Connector

 

 

DAVID BREAR

CEO & Co-founder, 11:FS

RESHMA SOHONI

Managing Partner, Seedcamp

We looked for fintech companies that help people to do any of the following:

  • Start actively saving and plan for the unexpected
  • Confidently manage money and track day-to-day financial transactions
  • Facilitate access to financial products through innovations in credit scoring and ID/address requirements
  • Understand and manage credit better
  • Identify and access more suitable financial products

Eligibility

Applications were encouraged from both B2B and B2C fintech and insurtech companies who:

  1. Can demonstrate how their product or service helps British people in the five areas above; and
  2. Are headquartered in the UK

There are two categories:

  1. Established fintechs: > 5,000 users if B2C or 3+ business clients if B2B
  2. New fintechs: at least an MVP in testing (or ready to test by the 20th of October) or < 5,000 users if B2C or < 3 business clients if B2B

Prizes

  • Customer insight support from the Money Advice Service, worth at least £70k to your business
  • The Experian Spotlight Award
  • Collaborate with Citizens Advice
  • $50k worth of transaction processing fees from Stripe and mentoring from Head of Startup Growth
  • 2 complimentary tickets to Money20/20 Europe 2018 for each winner
  • The Head of Financial Inclusion and the Head of Digital Inclusion at Lloyds Banking Group to give mentoring to winners
  • Expert mentoring sessions with Money Advice Service, Mustard Seed Ventures, Bethnal Green Ventures, Toynbee Hall and Ascension Ventures
  • See more in Prizes section

Partners and Friends

In association with

Supported by

 

Community partners

       

Why is financial inclusion and capability important?

 

 

Did you know?

 

1 in 5 can’t understand a bank statement
2 in 5 have just £100 in savings
1 in 6 is experiencing serious difficulties as a result of their debts
1 in 5 is not saving anything for retirement
1 in 33 adults doesn’t even have a bank account
31% of people have at least 1 sign of financial stress
24% of households have no savings
8m people are over-indebted

How it worked

The top three applications from each category were invited to an award ceremony on the 15th of November where pitched in front of expert judges. Runners up in each category also attended the event and showcased their product or service.

1

Apply

Before 20th October deadline – takes approx. 20 mins

2

Assessment

20 – 31 October – expert panel of judges scored the applications based on their impact

3

Announcement

End of October – three finalists per category announced

4

Award

15th November – pitching contest and awards ceremony