IQPC Ltd the organiser of FinTech Connect, the UK’s biggest fintech event, is launching a new show in Toronto, Canada, next year following five successful years in London.

Fintech Connect Toronto will take place from 20-21 May 2020, featuring some of the biggest brands in financial services. The likes of JP Morgan, Barclays, Monzo, Lloyds Banking Group, Nordea and N26 will speak at Fintech Connect Toronto, offering North American fintechs an unrivalled opportunity to network with some of the industry’s biggest players.

The event will be Canada’s largest ever international fintech trade show, with an audience of over 3,000 financial technology stakeholders coming from around the world to assess and debate the technologies that are changing the landscape of financial products, processes and business models. Additionally, networking between international and local market delegates will be facilitated throughout the event via a wide range of keynote talks, live demos and informal gatherings. Amongst these is the popular ‘Launchpad’ platform where start-ups will run 10-minute demo sessions to showcase their products to investors and prospective customers. Special focus will be given to the areas in which Canada is acknowledged as a global market leader including AI, blockchain, cybersecurity and paytech.

Highlights from the conference agenda include:

·         Best in class examples of the most innovative partnerships between fintechs and financial institutions

·         Interactive live interviews delivered in tandem between local market and international fintech leaders

·         Joint keynotes from North American and European CxOs at incumbent and challenger financial institutions

·         The “build, buy or partner” debate – looking at what incumbent organizations should choose to take on the challengers

·         Case studies from the coal face of innovation in blockchain, AI, cybersecurity, data governance and open banking

Over the past few years the Canadian fintech ecosystem has grown faster than many other global fintech hubs making it the perfect location for world-class North American fintechs to meet with international Innovation Leads from major financial institutions. FinTech Connect will offer a space where leaders from every corner of the industry can discuss the latest trends and innovations, with an aim to boost deals and investment in financial technology across the region.

“FinTech Connect has been a barnstorming success in London and it is an absolute pleasure to launch our second global event in Toronto,” said Steve Clarke, Founder and Managing Director, Fintech Connect. “We hope that it will help facilitate an environment of openness that encourages networking, investment and the sharing of ideas between great minds from all corners of the world. We want the event to create an awareness of a global fintech ecosystem, as with an open mindset, innovation will continue to flourish, which will be a great thing for the whole industry, regardless of whether you’re from Canada, Britain or beyond.”

“We are delighted to have Fintech Connect come to Toronto and we are hopeful that it will promote the growth of Canada’s fintech sector,” said John Tory, Mayor of Toronto. “Toronto is a major centre of excellence for fintech and a dynamic hub for innovation and investment. I strongly encourage people to visit the show, and the city in order to meet with our high-achieving line-up of technologists and entrepreneurs.”

Along with the bringing some of the biggest names in global financial services to the event, FinTech Connect has also named some of its launch partners for Toronto. These include leading international law firm Gowling WLG, wealthtech and AI specialists PureFacts, and paytech innovators nanopay, who bring a plethora of knowledge and expertise to the event.

“As a global legal leader in fintech, Gowling WLG plays an instrumental role in the digital transformation of financial services —in Canada and around the world,” said Usman Sheikh, Canadian head of Gowling WLG’s Blockchain & Smart Contract Group. “That’s why our firm is honoured to support FinTech Connect, both in the UK and now in Toronto. This world-class event will serve as an important opportunity to celebrate, network and learn from the next generation of fintech leaders”.

“PureFacts is honoured to be a launch partner of FinTech Connect Toronto, which will bring together global fintech leaders who are shaping the future of the sector,” said Gerard Davies, CFO and Managing Director. “This event will be an exciting opportunity for PureFacts to connect with innovators, entrepreneurs and industry leaders from around the World”.

“Toronto is considered a world-class tech haven, and we are thrilled that Fintech Connect is coming to our city,” said Laurence Cooke, Founder and CEO of nanopay. “We look forward to bringing together all players in the financial ecosystem, and hope this will be a platform for growth, elevating Canada on the global stage.”