05 December 2024 · Founders Forum stage
Delivering the Founders Forum stage at Fintech Connect was the first time we had delivered our content at another show before. From insightful panels to our signature fun-filled Blind Date session, the day was packed with inspiration, strategies, and plenty of energy.
Being recognised for our content and invited to bring it to such a major industry show was such a privilege and a testament to our ethos of 'collaborate, not compete'. It’s also a step forward in our mission to grow the Fintech Fringe brand and forge even more collaborations in the future.
Here’s how the day unfolded:
“As a doctor, you’re trained to diagnose problems and act under pressure. That’s exactly what entrepreneurship demands”
Dr. Ozan Ozerk, Founder, OpenPayd
Dr Ozan Ozerk opened the stage with a captivating account of his journey from emergency medicine to fintech trailblazer. Sharing lessons from his ventures like OpenPayd, he emphasised the resilience needed to innovate.
His story set the tone for the day – growth is about navigating the unexpected.
READ MORE: DR. OZERK'S FOUNDER STORY →
“Great companies are built in public. The resources, credibility, and growth opportunities that public markets provide are unparalleled”
Neil Shah, London Stock Exchange
The IPO panel brought insights from PensionBee, Boku, and the London Stock Exchange. Neil Shah reminded founders that IPOs are not just an end goal but a powerful tool for scale.
The discussion left founders rethinking their growth trajectories and the role of public markets.
READ MORE: THE JOURNEY TO IPO →
“Karen captured the entrepreneurial spirit perfectly: “There are no mistakes in entrepreneurship – only learning opportunities”
Karen Rudich, Founder, ELEMENTARYb - sherlocB
Resilience as a critical growth tool was the focus of the next panel, with Alexis Rog (Sikoia), Karen Rudich (ELEMENTARYb - sherlocB), and Alex Mifsud (Weavr) candidly sharing their toughest moments. Their stories revealed how grit, adaptability, and mental health underpin long-term success.
READ MORE: INSIGHTS ON RESILIENCE →
Crafting stories that resonate was the theme of the storytelling session, which brought together media experts for a lively debate. The session challenged fintechs to embrace bold, audience-focused narratives to cut through the noise and fuel growth.
Journalist Matt Browning didn’t mince words:
“News is about the audience, not your brand. If your story doesn’t solve a problem, it’s not newsworthy”
Matt Browning
READ MORE: HOW TO GET IN THE HEADLINES →
Scaling challenges took centre stage in a panel packed with actionable insights.
Alex Reed of Mountside Ventures offered a hard truth about fundraising:
“The days of growth at all costs are over. Investors now prioritise efficient growth”
Alex Reed, Co-founding Partner, Mountside Ventures
The session reinforced the importance of metrics, compliance, and a people-first approach to scaling sustainably.
Alternative funding options were explored in detail, with practical advice on navigating debt, revenue-based financing, and government grants. The session gave founders tangible strategies to diversify their funding paths.
Rachel Tshondo from Barclays summed it up:
“Non-dilutive financing can be a game-changer, but startups need clear growth plans to secure it”
Rachel Tshondo, Barclays
READ MORE: ALTERNATIVE FUNDING →
Finally, the day closed with the headline-grabbing Blind Date session. Four fintech startups pitched behind a partition to eliminate bias, with ideas judged solely on merit.
The format sparked both laughter and meaningful connections, proving that fintech growth can be innovative and fun.
Our Event Director Raf De Kimpe, clad in a sequined cape, energised the crowd:
“Tonight is about giving ideas the spotlight and ensuring everyone gets a fair shot”
Raf De Kimpe, Event Director, Fintech Fringe
READ MORE: BLIND DATE - FINTECH EDITION →
In summary
For Fintech Fringe, this was more than just a stage – it was a statement. By bringing our signature style of practical, engaging, and fun content to Fintech Connect, we’ve shown that fintech founders need more than just theory; they need actionable insights to scale.
The unifying message of the day came from Alex Mifsud of Weavr during the resilience panel:
“Growth isn’t about doing everything; it’s about doing the right things well”
Alex Mifsud, Founder, Weavr
We hope this is the first of many collaborations to come as we continue growing the brand and helping fintechs thrive.
- ENDS -
To learn more about FinTech Connect, visit: https://www.alphaevents.com/events-fintech-connect-london