Boston Fintech Week Returns, Highlights Nearby Industries: Web3, CBDCs, Philanthropy
Like many events, Boston Fintech Week was forced to pivot to a virtual event during the COVID-19 pandemic.
But this year, the in-person event returned, bringing a renewed buzz and excitement to the fintech space.
FinTech Sandbox organized the event, which included companies such as SoLo funds, AmpliFi and more. The event’s theme was “Fintech &” – a nod to the undeniable fact that financial technology solutions have impacted virtually every sector of the economy (ie healthcare, education, banking and many others).
Over 1,000 people registered for the event, which included over 50 content and networking sessions hosted by FinTech Sandbox and their sponsors and community partners over three days.
There were also 28 countries represented, with sessions on global fintech ecosystems hosted by the Colombian Consulate and the Canadian Consulate in Boston, both of which sent delegations of startups from their countries.
The event was attended by a wide range of fintech leaders from founders/entrepreneurs to investors, bankers, technologists, fintech leaders and more.
All sessions related to the “Fintech &” theme included “Fintech & Metaverse” (sponsored by EY), “A Conversation on Central Bank Digital Currency” (sponsored by Brandeis University), “Fintech & Web3” (sponsored by Vestigo Ventures) , ‘Fintech & Philanthropy’, and ‘Investing in Immigrants’, among many others.
“Fintech as a discipline is moving into adjacent industries, which I think is an important observation and one we tried to unpack during Boston Fintech Week,” said Sarah Biller, co-founder of FinTech Sandbox.
“FinTechs” largely refers to financial technology companies such as PayPal and Block. But, as Biller points out, companies in virtually every industry are now incorporating aspects of FinTech.
Sometimes these fintech solutions come where few expect them. One example is BondLink, a company that allows cities and states to more effectively engage investors in the municipal bond market for capital, not just to replace aging infrastructure, but to invest in projects that help address today’s changing climate.
“BondLink is a FinTech that enables municipalities such as small cities to tap into the bond market specifically for infrastructure projects that allow cities to harden or green their infrastructure,” Biller said.
Without the fintech solutions that BondLink offers, these small towns would have found it much more difficult to access funding for projects. Colin MacNaught, CEO and co-founder of BondLink spoke at Boston Fintech Week, along with leaders of many other innovative companies.
One keynote speaker, Rodney Williams, founded a company called SoLo Funds that enables peer-to-peer lending. Essentially, if you need a small loan, say $200, SoLo Funds will connect you with a real person willing to lend you the money. This means that both lenders and borrowers can bypass the strenuous and potentially expensive hassle of getting a loan through a bank.
Other speakers included:
- Katherine Collins, head of sustainable investing at Putnam Investments
- Joe Maxwell, managing partner of FINTOP Capital
- Stephanie Khoo, partner at Nyca Investments
- Greg Smith, CEO of FT Partners
- Doug Nelson, vice president of Long Ridge Equity Partners, and more.
At the event, there were both investors looking for opportunities to distribute capital, and early-stage companies desperately seeking these funds. Despite a slowdown in the venture capital world amid rising interest rates, Boston Fintech Week attendees were upbeat.
“We didn’t hear the tightening market conditions we thought we might,” Biller said. “In fact, we heard optimism.”
Whether you’re part of an innovative fintech company, an investor looking for your next project, or someone just interested in fintech, Boston Fintech Week is a must-attend event.
Image: Pixabay
