Singapore Fintech Festival - What is it and why businesses should attend it

What is the Singapore Fintech Festival?

The Singapore Fintech Festival (SFF) is the world's largest fintech event. The festival features top industry leaders, cutting-edge innovation showcases, and invaluable networking opportunities. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or policymaker, this festival offers key insights and connections in the fintech world.

Origin and history

Fintech festival Singapore started in 2016 with several key features, including the FinTech Awards, the Global FinTech Hackcelerator, and FinTech conferences focusing on topics like API, Big Data, Blockchain, Machine Learning, RegTech, and Tech Risk. In its inaugural year, the festival attracted over 13,000 international participants from 60 countries and has grown exponentially since then, with attendance reaching more than 66,000 participants from 150 countries in recent years.

Key Features

1.     Global Fintech Summit

The Global Fintech Summit is the cornerstone of the Singapore Fintech Festival, featuring a lineup of industry titans and chief fintech officers delivering thought-provoking keynote speeches. Attendees can engage in panel discussions led by senior policymakers and fintech leaders, offering unique insights into the sector. The summit also provides a platform for in-depth exploration of digital transformation strategies and emerging fintech trends.

2. Innovation Showcase

At the heart of SFF lies the Innovation Showcase, a dynamic exhibition space where the most innovative fintech solutions take centre stage. Visitors can immerse themselves in state-of-the-art AI and quantum computing demos, and witness firsthand the transformative potential of these technologies. The showcase also spotlights blockchain and crypto innovations, offering a glimpse into our financial future.

3. Thematic Zones: The event includes dedicated areas for different aspects of the fintech ecosystem. The Technology Zone spotlights AI and quantum computing, while the ESG Zone focuses on sustainable finance and green solutions. In the Regulation Zone, attendees gain insights into policy developments and regulatory frameworks.

The Talent Zone provides valuable career development and skills-upgrading opportunities. Meanwhile, the Founders and Investors Zone buzzes with energy as startups pitch their innovative ideas and investors seek promising ventures. These spaces create an environment where participants can delve into specific areas of interest, fostering learning, networking and collaboration.

4. GlobalFinTech Hackcelerator

The FinTech Hackcelerator is an international competition that brings together like-minded individuals to develop fintech solutions. Participants benefit from mentorship programs and compete for funding opportunities. It also concludes with a Demo Day, where global participants showcase their ideas. 

5. Networking

The SFF prioritizes networking. By leveraging AI-business matching, attendees can engage in personalised 1:1 meetings. Virtual meeting options are also available to accommodate global participants. 

6. Sustainable Finance Initiative

The Sustainable Finance Initiative showcases eco-friendly financial technologies. Visitors can explore green fintech, ESG- focused solutions, women-owned SMEs and other initiatives. This zone highlights how sustainable finance is reshaping the industry, featuring interactive displays and expert-led discussions on integrating sustainability into financial services. 

7. Policy and Regulation Dialogue

This segment facilitates direct engagement between regulators and industry stakeholders. Discussions can center on balancing innovation and concumer protection and cybersecurity measures. 

8. Future Trends Exploration

The Future Trends Exploration zone offers attendees a deep dive into transformative financial technologies. Visitors can explore interactive exhibits on decentralized finance (DeFi), gain insights into global digital currency developments, and understand the impact of neobanks on traditional banking.

Why businesses should attend the Singapore Fintech Festival and engage with the global fintech community?

Businesses attending the SFF can benefit by gaining insights, connections and solutions into their markets. Here are some key advantages:

Networking

The SG Fintech Festival offers unparalleled networking opportunities. With over 66,000 attendees from 150 countries, you can connect with a network of professionals from all over the world. The event features specialized zones, curated streams, and activities designed to help you engage with like-minded individuals. Whether you're an investor, startup founder, or policymaker, you'll find dedicated spaces to connect and learn.

The SFF MeetUp initiative facilitates over 20,000 one-on-one meetings, allowing you to collaborate and conduct business efficiently. You can also take advantage of daily happy hours to rub shoulders with industry giants or host your own on the show floor.

Learning and development

At SFF, you'll gain insights into the latest fintech trends and innovations. The Technology Zone offers a comprehensive look at cutting-edge developments, focusing on AI and Web3. You can explore the ESG Zone to learn about the latest developments in Environmental, Social, and Governance initiatives.

The Talent Zone advances learning and upskilling opportunities. You can attend academic workshops on AI, Web3.0, Blockchain, and Data Science conducted by leading institutions and fintech firms. The Learning Village offers reskilling and upskilling programs to help you stay competitive in the rapidly evolving fintech landscape.

Showcase products and services

The expo floor provides an excellent platform to discover new innovations and showcase your own. You can meet with next-gen startups, established companies, and tech pioneers displaying their latest products and services. This is your chance to amplify your brand to a global audience and generate leads.

The event also offers opportunities for thought leadership. You can share your innovative solutions, positioning your business as an industry leader. Additionally, the festival provides media reach, allowing you to share your announcements with a wide audience and potentially attract top talent to your organization.

Signature events and programs

The SG Fintech Festival offers a range of exciting events and programs to enhance your experience. These signature features provide unique opportunities to learn, network, and showcase your innovations.

Pitching competition

The Global FinTech Hackcelerator, organized by MAS, is a highlight of the festival. This year, it focuses on innovative solutions to improve financial health. Up to 20 finalists will pitch their ideas on Demo Day, November 6th. Each finalist receives a S$20,000 cash stipend and a startup kiosk at SFF. The top three winners, announced on November 7th, will each receive S$50,000 in prize money.

Investor lounge for 1-1

The Investor Lounge is a dedicated space for meaningful connections. You can participate in 'Investor Hours,' designed to encourage investment and help founders secure capital. Investors can reserve tables to listen to pitches, while founders can secure pitch spots. The lounge also hosts an invite-only Investor-Founder Focus Hour for growth-stage companies and investors.

Yellow circle

The Founders Zone provides a platform for financial services founders, entrepreneurs, and investors to connect. It features The Founders Peak stage, where exceptional founders share insights on successful entrepreneurship. You'll also find a Startup Village showcasing the latest early-stage FinTechs and opportunities to connect with investors and entrepreneurs worldwide at the TiE Global Summit.

Events Schedule

How to make the most out of the event?

To make the most of the Singapore Fintech Festival, you need to prepare well. Start by packing comfortable shoes - you'll be walking a lot, so footwear worthy of a marathon is essential. Stay hydrated in Singapore's hot and humid climate by drinking plenty of water, even if you don't feel thirsty. Some other tips to make the best out of your visit include:

• Plan your schedule wisely: With numerous sessions and meetings, you'll be pulled in many directions. Prioritise key meetings and must-see sessions, leaving ample time to move between locations. The venue is vast, so "next door" might be further than you think.
•  Challenge yourself to expand your network: Talk to someone new each day - you might meet the most interesting people by chatting with your session neighbor. This approach helps you broaden your horizons beyond industry friends and known companies.
• Commit to sharing your daily observations: This practice keeps you focused and conscientious, forcing you to make the most of each day. Posting your insights on LinkedIn can also increase your visibility.
• Remember to step outside occasionally: Plan a meeting in one of Singapore's iconic green spaces to see the actual sun and sky during the week-long event.
• Dress appropriately in business or smart casual attire: The air conditioning can be cold, so avoid beachwear. Bring your own water bottle to support sustainability efforts, and be prepared for random bag checks. Familiarise yourself with prohibited items to ensure a smooth entry.
•  Leverage the event app: Download the official Singapore Fintech Festival app before arriving. Use it to customise your agenda, receive real-time updates on session changes, and connect with other attendees. The app's interactive map can help you navigate the venue, saving you time between presentations and networking opportunities.

Aspire at SFF

CEO Andrea Baronchelli rocked The Founders Peak stage, sharing Aspire's journey to becoming a top 100 fintech. The team was buzzing at the SFA Pavilion, connecting with industry leaders and innovators.

Read - Aspire made waves at SFF 2023!

Don't miss Aspire at this year's festival! Swing by our booth to chat about improving your business finances. Discover how Aspire AI can revolutionise your financial management with real-time fraud detection and automated card freezing. Our AI driven features offers cash flow analytics and spend insights at your fingertips. You can also streamline business operations by automating invoice processing, receipt matching, while ensuring compliance with smart spend limits.

How to register for the Singapore fintech festival?

 Registering for the Singapore FinTech Festival is a breeze:

1.     Visit the official SFF website

2.     Click on "Register Now"

3.     Choose your pass type

4.     Fill out the registration form

5.     Complete payment (if applicable)

6.     Look out for your confirmation email

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Singapore FinTech Festival 2024 is poised to be a groundbreaking event that will bring together the global fintech community to recognise innovative fintech solutions and promote inclusive economic growth. With a strong focus on AI, Quantum Computing, and sustainable finance, the festival will provide a platform for industry leaders, financial institutions, and technology communities to converge and explore the transformative potential of fintech.

As the largest fintech festival in the world, SFF 2024 will serve as a knowledge hub for the global fintech community, offering attendees the opportunity to learn from the best, network with peers, and conduct business efficiently. With its commitment to promoting financial inclusion, sustainable finance, and innovative fintech solutions, the Singapore FinTech Festival 2024 is an event not to be missed.