About us
Fintech Founders is a grassroots, non-profit network of over 350 leading UK fintech founders.
Established in 2016, the group operates in the mutual interest of founders and aims to create an opportunity for real conversations, and better collaboration amongst entrepreneurs, startups, government, regulators and across the financial services landscape.
Over the years we have hosted a series of member-only events for the founders of successful financial technology companies and leaders at the forefront of building the fintech sector. The group has previously hosted guest speakers from senior levels of government, 10 Downing Street, the World Economic Forum, experienced financial services investors and senior banking executives.
We are continuing to host events and facilitate collaboration and influence for entrepreneurs in the sector.
Fintech Founders is committed to being:
•The voice of founders within the fintech sector;
•Independent and honest about the challenges and issues that fintech has;
•Energetic and keen to develop stimulating new policy ideas;
•An organisation that reflects its members' concerns and provides a direct channel for sharing ideas and solutions.
Our sponsors
Research
Our summer surveys have provided a unique opportunity for us to highlight to Government and the media some of the key issues that fintech founders are facing.
Every year, Fintech Founders run a Summer Survey to understand how our founders feel about the current fintech environment. In addition to examining the broader fintech industry, the theme this year the sector’s perception of the Government elected on 4 July .
The Survey shows founders do not feel heard by regulators and policymakers, and the change in government did nothing to remedy this. Compared to last year, a greater number of founders are considering relocating abroad.
View previous editions of our Summer Survey below.
Members
Our Steering Committee, chaired by Christian Faes (exec chair, LendInvest), sets the overall strategic direction for Fintech Founders. Other members include: David Luck, Founder and CEO of Capital on Tap; Charlie Delingpole, Founder and CEO of ComplyAdvantage; Thomas Olszewski, Founder and CEO of Koyo Loans; Paul Taylor, Founder and CEO of Thought Machine; Freddy Kelly, Co-Founder & CEO of Credit Kudos; Seb McDermott, Co-Founder & CEO of Koodoo; and Katrin Herrling, Co-Founder & CEO of Funding Xchange.
Events
Taking place throughout the year, our group hosts a series of events which have in the past featured a range of guest speakers, from senior members of the government, the World Economic Forum, and Downing Street through to CEOs of the largest financial institutions.
We also host engagement events. In the past, we have held a breakfast event with the City Minister, Andrew Griffith MP, a roundtable lunch with Nikhil Rathi (Chief Executive of the FCA), a dinner with Bob Wigley (Chair of UK Finance), and a drinks reception with Rishi Sunak.
Our regular gatherings provide an opportunity for our members to interact with Government and other senior people across the world of financial services.
We will be developing a varied range of events over the next 12 months that will focus on some of the most important issues facing the fintech sector.
The format for each event is kept intentionally focused and straightforward.
Contact Us
If you are interested in finding out more about Fintech Founders, how to become more closely involved or would like to sign up to our regular newsletters, please get in touch via contact@fintech-founders.org
News & Views
The 2024 edition of our Annual Survey received was covered in the Times (in print), the Evening Standard, and City AM. You can read the full report at the link above.
We drafted an open letter to the Chancellor ahead of the Budget calling for Capital Gains Tax not to be raised. Read the letter here and an article from City A.M. discussing it here.
One of our founders, Christian Faes, sat down for an interview to discuss the group and its development. Read the article from Sifted here.
Our sponsors, Evelyn Partners, won Fintech Awards London’s Fintech Advisory Firm of the Year. See the full list of winners here.
