The Northern FinTech Showcase: Write-up from Northern FinTech Summit
As part of our first-ever two-day event, our Northern FinTech Summit, we hosted a Northern FinTech Showcase during our Tech & Product Segment, highlighting FinTech start-up innovation taking place across the North.
The Summit was hosted in partnership with Barclays Eagle Labs, the University of York, Rise, Created by Barclays, Squire Patton Boggs, as well as the North’s inward investment agencies, MIDAS, West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Invest North East England, and Invest Liverpool City Region.The Market segment was sponsored by York Central and the Money segment was sponsored by Marqeta.
Click here to read about Day 1 of the Summit.
Click here to read about Day 2 of the Summit.
During the showcase which was moderated by Rachel England, Events Coordinator at FinTech North and Charlotte Scott, Senior Investor Relations Manager at Innovation SuperNetwork , we heard from four brilliant speakers:
• Dan Graf, CEO & Co-Founder, Earthchain, a blockchain-enabled climate FinTech.
• Daniel Goldstone, CEO & Co-Founder Rangeteller, a lending-decisioning framework focussed on financial inclusion.
• Tim Kinslow, CEO, Yield Yeti, a DeFi gaming platform.
• Milan Bilimoria, Founder, RoundRaise, a funder and founder match-making platorm.
Earthchain
First to speak in the showcase was Dan Graf, CEO and Co-Founder of Earthchain, addressed the urgent need for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to meet climate targets amid rising regulatory pressures. He highlighted the difficulties SMEs face in providing accurate carbon data and finding affordable solutions for compliance.
To overcome these challenges, Dan advocated for the automation of carbon accounting processes. Earthchain aims to simplify compliance by transforming raw data into detailed carbon reports, thereby lowering barriers for SMEs striving for sustainability. He emphasised the growing accountability of the financial services industry regarding environmental impact, calling for collaboration among FinTech companies to accelerate SMEs’ transition towards sustainable practices.
Rangeteller
Next in the showcase was Dan Goldstone, CEO and Co-Founder of Rangeteller, who’s proposition focused on modernising lending decisioning to enhance financial inclusion. He critiqued traditional credit scoring models that rely on outdated bureau data, which often exclude many potential borrowers.
Dan proposed a more transparent and flexible credit scoring system that incorporates historical data and personalised assessments. This approach aims to create fairer lending practices and empower individuals traditionally underserved by financial institutions. By leveraging advanced data analytics and alternative data sources, he envisions a future where tailored financial products are accessible to a wider audience, fostering a more equitable economy.
Yield Yeti
Tim Kinslow, CEO of Yield Yeti, discussed the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency and the importance of shifting public perceptions. He noted that much of the current cryptocurrency market mirrors traditional banking and trading models, which can create skepticism among potential users.
To bridge this gap, Tim emphasised the need for gamification in decentralised finance (DeFi). Yield Yeti is a crypto game that offers a unique proposition by enabling users to stake, play, and own assets in a fun and engaging environment. He believes that this approach can transform the way people interact with cryptocurrency, making it more accessible and enjoyable.
RoundRaise
The final speaker in the showcase was Milan Bilimoria, founder of RoundRaise, who presented his proposition for revolutionising the investment process for start-ups. RoundRaise serves as a matchmaking platform, leveraging algorithms to connect early-stage companies with suitable investors based on critical business details.
Milan emphasised the importance of understanding the unique needs of startups and their investors. By tailoring matches, RoundRaise aims to streamline the fundraising process, allowing entrepreneurs to focus on building their businesses rather than navigating the complexities of investor outreach.
The Northern Showcase was a brilliant start to the Tech & Product Segment on Day 2, highlighting the vast and diverse FinTech innovation taking place in the North of England, across an array of subsectors and themes including green finance, financial inclusion, gamification and funding.
We’d once again like to share a massive thanks to everyone involved, Thank you to our partners, Barclays Eagle Labs, Rise, Created by Barclays, The University of York, Squire Patton Boggs, Invest North East England, MIDAS, Invest Liverpool City Region, and West Yorkshire Combined Authority, ‘Market’ sponsors, York Central, ‘Money’ sponsors , Marqeta, and of course, all of our wonderful speakers for sharing all of your organisation’s fantastic work and innovation.
