Innovate Finance is set to highlight fintech startups across UK regions.
- Regional pitch events will occur over 12 months in the North, South West, Midlands, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales.
- Entrepreneurs will present innovative business solutions to industry judges.
- The initiative aims to redirect investment focus from the capital to regional startups.
- Key figures, including the Economic Secretary, have expressed strong support.
Innovate Finance has launched an ambitious initiative to spotlight fintech startups across various UK regions through a series of pitching events. Scheduled over the next year, these events will occur in the North, South West, Midlands, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. The aim is to provide a platform for regional entrepreneurs to present their innovative solutions in front of a panel of high-profile judges.
The programme, known as ‘Pitch360: Across the UK,’ seeks to showcase the potential of these startups to transform financial services. Participants will demonstrate how their innovations could stimulate growth in the industry. This initiative underscores the importance of driving investment beyond the capital and nurturing talent dispersed across the nation.
Janine Hirt, CEO of Innovate Finance, emphasised the UK’s leading position in global fintech investment. According to her, “The lion’s share of this funding currently favours London-based firms“. The programme is designed to shift this focus, ensuring that innovative businesses throughout the UK gain the attention and funding they deserve.
The announcement of this initiative was made by Tulip Siddiq, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, during her keynote at Innovate Finance’s ‘FinTech as a Force For Good Forum.’ Siddiq noted the vast opportunities presented by this programme, stating, “‘Pitch 360: Across the UK’ is a great opportunity to showcase the outstanding fintech talent across the UK regions, and shine a spotlight on the huge potential of fintech innovation.” Her endorsement reflects governmental support for diversifying fintech investments and recognising regional capabilities.
Innovate Finance’s pitching initiative is poised to decentralise fintech investment, potentially transforming regional economies across the UK.
