Innovate Finance 2025 Highlights

Throughout 2025, Innovate Finance has made significant progress across policy, ecosystem growth, global engagement, and our commitment to diversity and innovation. From shaping the national regulatory agenda to convening the UK’s most influential FinTech leaders, we’ve continued to champion a thriving, competitive, and inclusive financial innovation landscape. None of this would be possible without the dedication of our members, the collaboration of our partners and sponsors, and the tireless work of the Innovate Finance team. These highlights reflect the collective strength of our community and our shared mission to ensure the UK remains a world-leading home for FinTech.

January

2024 FinTech Investment Landscape
Our annual FinTech investment landscape reported that global FinTech investment fell 20% to $43bn, while UK investment decreased 37% to $3.6bn. Despite this, the UK retained its #2 global position behind the United States. Read the report.

Challenger Banks Meeting
We convened a small group of challenger banks at the Bank of England to discuss the UK’s prudential regulation regime with Sir Dave Ramsden CBE and the Bank’s supervision teams, strengthening engagement between regulators and emerging banking players.

IFGS 2025 Agenda Launched
The agenda for IFGS 2025 was officially launched, promising world-class insights, networking, and thought leadership. See the agenda.

Webinar: AI in FinTech – What the UK’s Latest Announcement Means
Moderated by Hogan Lovells, this webinar explored the implications of the UK’s latest AI policy for the FinTech sector. Watch the webinar.

February

RegTech UK
We launched RegTech UK, a dedicated trade association for regulatory technology firms, aiming to grow this dynamic sector within the UK ecosystem. Read more.

Roundtable with the FCA
Our roundtable with FCA leaders Matthew Long and Jane Moore offered insights into the UK’s crypto roadmap, helping firms understand regulatory expectations.

Webinar: The Future of DE&I in FinTech
An engaging discussion on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in FinTech, moderated by KPMG, explored how DE&I drives innovation and sector growth. Watch here

March

Women in FinTech Powerlist 2024
The ninth edition of our Women in FinTech Powerlist celebrated over 200 influential women shaping the UK’s FinTech sector, including the Standout 45 who made exceptional contributions. Sponsored by KPMG, OpenPayd, Zilch, and Zopa. View the Powerlist.

High Growth CEO Dinner
Hosted by EY, this exclusive dinner connected high-growth FinTech CEOs to share insights and foster collaboration.

Unicorn Council Meeting
A strategic meeting with then-Economic Secretary to the Treasury Emma Reynolds allowed our Unicorn Council members to highlight priorities for the UK’s fastest-growing FinTechs.

Innovate Finance Inaugural Ireland Meetup

In partnership with Hogan Lovells and Kyndryl, kindly sponsored by Keeper Solutions and hosted at Dogpatch Labs in Dublin, this inaugural Innovate Finance event in Ireland event explored opportunities for UK-Ireland FinTech collaboration.

April

UK FinTech Week 2025
UK FinTech Week featured a week-long programme of events, including IFGS, Pitch360, and the UK FinTech Academic Network conference, offering unparalleled networking and thought leadership opportunities.

IFGS 2025
1,500 attendees heard from 200 speakers on trends, challenges, and opportunities across FinTech. The Chancellor, Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP, responded to our report with new draft legislation for cryptoassets and US-UK regulatory discussions. Thanks to platinum sponsor ClearBank and gold sponsors Microsoft, LSE, and DBT. Claim your IFGS 2026 ticket.

Unicorn Council Meeting at IFGS
Our Unicorn Council convened at IFGS with Chancellor Rachel Reeves to address the growth trajectory of UK FinTechs.

Unicorn Council Meeting with FCA CEO Nikhil Rathi at IFGS 2025
Our council met with FCA CEO Nikhil Rathi to discuss innovation, regulation, and the evolving needs of high-growth FinTechs.

FinTech Strategy Group
Featuring FCA COO Emily Shepperd, this session explored regulatory developments and sector-wide strategy for FinTech growth.

Pitch360 London
As part of UK FinTech Week, Pitch360 London showcased emerging FinTech talent, with Sprout Financial crowned as winner. Hosted by Level39.

A Technology Strategy to Smash Fraud
We collaborated with FinTechs and financial services firms to produce a detailed technology strategy to reduce fraud. Read the report.

May

Pitch360 Cardiff
Hosted by Eversheds Sutherland, this regional Pitch360 event celebrated emerging UK FinTech talent, with Zero winning the inaugural pitch. Watch highlights.

Pitch360 Leeds
Partnering with FinTech North, Pitch360 Leeds spotlighted innovation across the region, with Nuke From Orbit securing first place.

Trends Shaping the Customer Experience in Financial Services & Banking Webinar hosted by Stripe
This webinar explored trends shaping the customer experience in financial services and banking. Watch Here.

EMIs, Audit Requirements and CASS 15 Webinar
Hosted by BKL, this session addressed regulatory requirements for electronic money institutions and safeguarding compliance.

June

Pride in FinTech 2025 Application Launch
Applications opened for the 2025 Pride in FinTech Powerlist, recognising LGBTQIA+ leaders driving inclusion in financial services. View the Powerlist.

FinTechs Meeting with Rachel Blake MP
FinTech leaders discussed consumer credit, economic crime, and growth opportunities with Rachel Blake MP, Labour MP for Cities of London and Westminster.

Partnerships Day
A dedicated event fostering collaboration across FinTechs, investors, and regulators, strengthening ecosystem partnerships.

Webinar: 2025 U.S. Policy Shifts: Key Impacts on Financial Institutions & FinTechs
In collaboration with Hogan Lovells, we explored US policy changes affecting financial institutions and FinTechs.

July

H1 2025 FinTech Investment Landscape
Our mid-year investment report analysed the latest trends and opportunities for UK FinTech. Read the report.

H1 Capital and Investment Report Webinar
Key findings from H1 2025 were shared with industry leaders, including speakers from Apis Partners, London Stock Exchange, and Peel Hunt. Watch the webinar.

Pitch360 Edinburgh
Hosted at the Edinburgh Futures Institute in partnership with FinTech Scotland, the event celebrated emerging talent, with Senguard as the winner.

Roundtable with Alan Mak MP
A policy roundtable with the then-Shadow DSIT Secretary explored sector challenges and innovation opportunities.

September

Innovate Finance Ireland Meetup
In partnership with Kyndryl and sponsored by Keeper Solutions, this event explored opportunities for UK-Ireland FinTech collaboration.

Labour Party Conference
At the Labour Conference in Liverpool, we hosted a FinTech Drinks Reception and a roundtable on unlocking the potential of the UK tech stack, engaging policymakers and industry leaders.

Navigating International Expansion: Opportunities for Fast Growth Fintechs
Hosted by S&W, this session focused on strategies for fast-growing FinTechs expanding internationally.

October

FinTech as a Force for Good: FinTech in a Changing World
Our fifth annual forum celebrated UK FinTech’s contributions to society and explored innovation opportunities, hosted by the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Read the wrap-up.

Pitch360 Birmingham
Hosted by KPMG UK in partnership with SuperTech WM, SAIBLE won this Midlands-focused FinTech showcase.

Challenger Banks: A British Success Story
Launched with Hogan Lovells, this report highlighted the impact of challenger banks on competition, lending, and customer experience in the UK. Read the report.

Conservative Party Conference
We engaged policymakers and industry stakeholders to discuss the future of UK FinTech.

Pitch360 Bristol
Regional FinTech innovators gathered, with Stratiphy winning the inaugural pitch.

Stablecoin Symposium with Ava Labs
This event highlighted blockchain innovation and cross-industry collaboration for UK FinTech.

November

Autumn Budget 2025 Analysis
Our analysis outlined the implications of the Budget for FinTechs, highlighting key opportunities and challenges. Read the analysis.

Bank of England CBDC Team
We hosted the Bank of England’s Central Bank Digital Currency team to discuss design considerations for the Digital Pound.

Power Up Forum
A session focused on advancing sector innovation and leadership within the UK FinTech ecosystem.

CEO Forum
This half-day event convened senior leaders to discuss pressing sector issues and strategic action, sponsored by Global Counsel, LSE, Microsoft, and Teneo.

Janine Hirt on BBC News London
Our CEO highlighted the importance of keeping London and the UK a global FinTech hub.

HM Treasury and Bank of England Roundtable
Policy leaders discussed the Retail Payments Infrastructure Strategy, advancing collaboration between regulators and FinTechs.

Singapore Roundtable: The Expansion Equation
Held during the Singapore FinTech Festival, this roundtable explored strategies for UK FinTech success abroad with Jessica Rusu (CDIIO, FCA) and Eugenece Goh (Deputy Director, Monetary Authority of Singapore).

NYC Roundtable with Lady Mayor of the City of London
Hosted in partnership with the City of London Corporation, DBT, and London & Partners, this roundtable explored cross-border FinTech collaboration.

IFGS 2026 Tickets Launched
The 2026 IFGS agenda and tickets were launched, inviting the global FinTech community to gather next year. Secure your ticket.

Janine Hirt Represents UK FinTech on the Prime Minister’s Trade Visit to India
Our CEO joined the PM’s delegation to showcase the UK as a global FinTech hub.

December

Pride in FinTech Celebratory Event
Hosted by Google, the third annual Pride in FinTech event celebrated LGBTQIA+ leaders in financial services.

Women in FinTech Launch Event
Hogan Lovells hosted the annual launch, highlighting achievements and leadership in the sector.

FinTech Strategy Group
CEOs and ecosystem leaders gathered under the leadership of Janine Hirt at Mastercard to discuss sector strategy and priorities.