Fintech Meetup kicks off this week, showcasing an industry in flux
Fintech Meetup opens its doors this week in Las Vegas. It’s the first time the event has hosted real-world people. Started during the pandemic by some of the same people behind Money 20/20, it’s billed as the fintech anti-conference – it’s all about networking. Using a mobile app or the event’s website, attendees can see who is coming to the show and request a connection. If the other party accepts, the Tinder-like experience culminates in a 15-minute meeting on the show.
The Fintech Meetup was launched during the pandemic, and the first time it was held entirely online. This year, the event claims 3,000 participants will arrive at the Aria Hotel for two and a half days of activities. The in-person version of the Fintech Meetup includes hundreds of speakers, including around 10 keynotes. I’ll be interviewing JPMorgan Chase’s Sanjay Saraf, managing director of global head of e-commerce and marketplaces on the main stage.
Themes at this year’s event
Hungry for offers: Fintech Meetup has many speakers on the agenda, but I suspect the biggest draw for most people is the format: double opt-in, 1-on-1 meetings in 15 minutes. It’s effective and it definitely worked during COVID-19 when people couldn’t come together to do business. This pent-up demand shows that there is an appetite for this type of focused event format.
The industry is challenged: With the withdrawal of funding, the banking system vibrating and a stormy macroeconomic backdrop, the industry is trying to figure out which way to go. It feels like things have been on hold for the past few months as this environment has taken its toll on spending and layoffs. Gathering 3,000 people in all environments is impressive – even more so now.
High quality speakers: One of the things I felt challenged about participants on the content side of Money 20/20 is that it felt like all the speakers were sponsors. That means sitting through some product presentations or at the very least, what’s-in-it-for-me perspectives. It feels like the Fintech Meetup has some really good organic speakers too.
A first-time event, but not really: Fintech Meetup was founded by some of the same team that developed the powerful Money 20/20 event. So while this is the first time this event has been produced in the real world (if Vegas is the real world), it has a longer legacy. Many of the top talents participating in the event also came through the Money 20/20 system.
FI remains serious about working with the technology community: While the coverage of traditional financial institutions is narrower at Fintech Meetup compared to Money 20/20, there are firms that have a strong presence on the ground. Firms such as Amex, JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs have all assembled executives at the show.
Smaller off-page sideshows: Unlike the Fintech Meetup, one of the most interesting things about Money 20/20 is that it has created a vibrant ecosystem of side events that happen during the conference. Banks, fintechs, PR firms and investors all have parties. It also happens at Fintech Meetup, but to a lesser extent. I would say it’s a fresh format and with the focus on networking, there’s less hunger to find a way to meet people off-site.
