Fintech has revolutionized the way we manage finances. Since 2007, the Finovate conference series gathers leaders in banking, fintech, and investment to showcase technology putting them ahead of the curve. With more than 55 conferences to date (and counting), and a demo-first approach to content, Finovate events serve as a networking hub allowing professionals to identify actionable innovations in the industry.
We sat down with Greg Palmer, VP and Director of Fintech Strategy at Finovate, about what it takes to win a Finovate Award, hidden gems you cannot miss while onsite at Finovate events, and tips to be a strong speaker the audience will remember.
Want to be among leaders in fintech? We have you covered:
Register to attend Finovate events using the below links and save 20% off your ticket:
FinovateEurope | February 10-11; London - Register here
FinovateSpring | May 5-7; San Diego, CA - Register here
Finovate Awards nominations open up next week, so take notes about how to curate a stellar submission. Apply here when the form goes live on January 21.
Given Finovate's demo-first approach to its program, what are some ways speakers can bring the WOW factor to the stage?
Greg: I get asked this question all the time, and I love talking about it. The first, and most obvious answer, is to take me up on the demo coaching that we offer all companies before they demo. It’s included with the demo package, and it lets me get to know each company individually and help them find their own unique demo strategy.
Beyond that, the best general advice I can give is to spend a lot of time up front thinking about what you’re hoping to accomplish with your demo. Some questions I always encourage speakers to ask themselves are:
What key points do you want to make sure the audience remembers?
Who in the audience are you looking to meet?
And most importantly, what’s in it for them if they come talk to you?
So many people treat the demo as an opportunity to talk about themselves and their own story — while that’s obviously a significant part, the best demos keep the audience at the center and make it really clear how the people listening stand to benefit in very simple terms. It’s not about what your technology can do in the abstract. It’s about what your technology can do for the people watching. Once you’re really clear on those big picture points, the demo itself becomes an exercise in validating and supporting those points, which is typically much easier for people to script.
The nomination window for the Finovate Awards opens up soon. What are the key qualities that make a submission stand out?
Greg: Having the right technology is obviously paramount, but beyond that, there are three key factors that make an awards nomination compelling to our judges.
Is it new? It’s vital to really call out the elements of your technology that are new, and how those new pieces allow people to do something they couldn’t do before. Your company’s history is less important than the piece that prompted you to submit a nomination.
Is it real? Real-world results are always helpful for our judges. We receive a lot of nominations with pretty language about value to-be-created in the future, but if you can provide numbers or other documentation that show the value in concrete terms, it makes it much easier for our judges.
Is it to the point? Length is important. We get a lot of nominations, so you want to find a balance between giving enough information that it’s clear what sets you apart, without asking the judges to read an entire novel. In general, somewhere around 500 words is usually about right.
What is something you wish more attendees knew about when attending Finovate events? Any hidden gems or can't-miss sessions you want to highlight?
Greg: Oh gosh, where do I start? Obviously the demos are the star, and rightly so — where else can you see so many new innovations in such a short amount of time? Beyond the demos, I always really enjoy the Analyst All Star session, where we get some of the best thinkers in the space to share their thoughts, and the VC All Stars panel is always a good one as well. It’s difficult to know what’s going on in the mind of venture capitalists, and having them share their thoughts on where we are and where we’re heading is hugely valuable.
Beyond the content, I would encourage people who are coming to engage with the networking app before arriving on site. It’s a really powerful tool that can help you find exactly the kinds of people you’re looking for. So much of the value from Finovate comes from the conversations you’re able to have, and the earlier you start, the more productive those conversations are!
Who would benefit the most from attending Finovate?
Greg: Finovate is designed with senior executives in mind. We don’t have salespeople on stage, we have founders and CEOs. We don’t have lower-level functionaries from banks in the audience, we have their strategic leadership team. There’s something really special that happens when you get decision-makers together in the same room — conversations carry more weight and turn into action more quickly, making it an extremely efficient gathering. If you’re a decision-maker who’s tired of spinning your wheels talking to the wrong people at other events, Finovate is the place for you!
Your favorite piece of advice or words to remember heard on stage?
Greg: It’s a relatively simple one, but it’s so easy to overlook: fintech is fundamentally human-focused. It’s easy to get caught up in numbers, processes, technical requirements, etc., and that can make it difficult to remember that this entire industry exists to serve actual people. If you start looking at your customers as numbers on a spreadsheet, you’re in trouble. The best banks never forget that they exist to serve their customers first and foremost, and the best fintechs never lose sight of how their technology will impact the lives of the people who use it. My advice to anyone reading is to lean into the human side of fintech, and make decisions for human-centric reasons.
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