What do fintech startups, tinsel pom-poms, and a sequined cape have in common? They all came together in a whirlwind of fun and high-stakes fundraising during our Fintech edition of “Blind Date” at Fintech Connect. Inspired by the classic gameshow, this fundraising event proved that the fintech world can mix with show business.
Why the BLIND DATE Format?
In the fast-paced world of fintech fundraising, minority and female founders often miss out on securing capital due to unconscious bias. We wanted to tackle this issue head-on with a format designed to level the playing field. By hiding founders behind a partition and focusing solely on their ideas, BLIND DATE removed the typical distractions and preconceptions.
The result? A session that delivered both entertainment and equity, creating an engaging experience where ideas—not appearances—took centre stage.
Sequins, Tinsel, and a Dash of Drama
Our host for the evening and Event Director, the inimitable Raf De Kimpe, brought pizzazz to the room as he fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming a gameshow host. Clad in a silver sequined cape that shimmered as brightly as his personality, Raf kept the energy sky-high with his quick wit and endless enthusiasm.
“This session was really just an excuse for me to live my dream as a Blind Date host,” Raf quipped, leading the audience in cheerleading with tinsel pom-poms. But beneath the glitz, Raf anchored the serious message of why the format mattered:
“Tonight is about giving ideas the spotlight and ensuring everyone gets a fair shot.”
The Stars of the Show
Four fintech startups stepped up to pitch their innovative solutions to a panel of leading venture capitalists. With the founders hidden, the VCs judged solely on their ideas and business models.
The investors:
- Jay Wilson, Partner at AlbionVC
- Alex Mayall, Investment Principal at Anthemis
- Ashley Abrahams, Head of Origination at Guinness Ventures
- Sanchit Dhote, Investment Principal at Outward VC
The contestants:
- Haboo Money: Represented by Hannah Baynham, Co-founder. Tackling debt repayment with flexible, data-driven solutions.
- DeFinity Markets: Represented by Chris Park, Co-founder. A credit-intermediated platform for trading digital assets.
- Finexos: Represented by Thomas Belli, Head of Operations. AI-powered tools for better credit risk decisions.
- Muse Finance: Represented by Ann Juliano, CEO. Seamless finance-as-a-service for businesses.
Highlights and Hijinks
Haboo Money: Big Problems, Bigger Solutions
First up was Hannah Baynham, co-founder of Haboo Money, who passionately described how her startup empowers consumers to tackle debt with personalised repayment plans.
Three VCs were smitten enough to offer “dates” (serious follow-up meetings, not romantic ones—let’s not get carried away).
DeFinity Markets: When TradFi Meets Sequins
Next was Chris Park of DeFinity Markets, pitching his regulated, credit-intermediated trading platform for digital assets.
“I was told I had to be here yesterday and that I’d be a female founder. Hopefully, I’ll get at least one of these right,” he joked, earning chuckles from the crowd.
While Chris represented the most mature company with significant traction, the VCs seemed more drawn to earlier-stage businesses. No one left empty-handed, though—Chris still secured a valuable follow-up.
Finexos: The Investor’s Choice
Thomas Belli of Finexos impressed the investors with his AI-driven credit risk engine, which redefines how lenders assess affordability. His calm, technical approach stood out, demonstrating a clear vision and measurable results.
It was a clean sweep, with all four VCs raising their hands for a follow-up meeting.
Muse Finance: The Crowd Favourite
Closing out the session was Ann Juliano of Muse Finance, whose storytelling prowess and technical detail won over both the VCs and the audience. Ann showcased her platform’s ability to provide instant finance with just one question—“What’s your company registration number?”
Muse Finance scored three dates, tying with Haboo Money, but also walked away with the crowd favourite title after a lively audience vote.
Takeaways with a Twist
Beyond the sequins and tinsel, BLIND DATE was a reminder of the importance of levelling the playing field in fintech investment.
By focusing solely on ideas and execution, the session stripped away the biases that can often overshadow great innovation.
From debt repayment solutions to AI-powered lending, the event showcased fintech’s bright future against a background of tinsel pompoms.
It’s safe to say everyone left feeling a little more sparkly—and a lot more inspired.
– ENDS –
Calypso Harland is the founder of Fintech Fringe, committed to making the fintech ecosystem a hub of innovation, opportunity, and—occasionally—sequins.