Finnie Awards 24 finalists have been announced!

FinTech Organisation of the Year

  • This award recognises a fintech organisation that has demonstrated a commitment to innovation and has delivered transformative new financial services offerings through the innovative use of technology to its customers.

    This is open to current and existing participants in the fintech ecosystem who have been operating for over 2 years.

  • a. Describe your fintech product/service. Which customer segments does it serve in what markets, and what benefit does it deliver to each segment?

    b. How does your product/service realise these benefits for your customers more effectively than other substitute products and competitors? Describe how your business model creates a sustainable competitive advantage in your chosen market, and how it will position you for future growth into other product, customer or market segments.

    c. Demonstrate how your business model has positioned your company for success using any key growth metrics that you are comfortable sharing (e.g. revenue, customers, churn, customer satisfaction etc).

    d. How impactful has your company been to the overall growth of the fintech ecosystem, both locally and abroad?

    e. Please also provide 1-3 examples of customer testimonials, marketing collateral or other sources of information (such as any audited financial or business metrics and/or statements, or third-party independent party reports) as evidence to support your answers.

Emerging FinTech Organisation of the Year (company must be <2 years old)

  • This award recognises a fintech organisation that is delivering transformative new financial services offerings through the innovative use of technology to its customers.

    This is open to new organisations in the fintech ecosystem of less than 2 years.

    Note: The date of launch of first MVP should not be before 30 March 2022

  • a. Describe your fintech product/service. Which customer segments does it serve in what markets, and what benefit does it deliver to each segment?

    b. How does your product/service realise these benefits for your customers more effectively than other substitute products and competitors? Describe how your business model creates a sustainable competitive advantage in your chosen market, and how it will position you for future growth into other product, customer or market segments.

    c. Demonstrate how your business model has positioned your company for success using any key growth metrics that you are comfortable sharing (e.g. revenue, customers, churn, customer satisfaction etc).

    d. How impactful has your company been to the overall growth of the fintech ecosystem, both locally and abroad?

    e. Please also provide 1-3 examples of customer testimonials, marketing collateral or other sources of information (such as any audited financial or business metrics and/or statements, or third-party independent party reports) as evidence to support your answers.

Best Workplace Diversity

  • This award recognises the workplace in a fintech that has created an inclusive environment that accepts each individual’s differences, embraces their strengths and provides opportunities for all staff to achieve their full potential.

  • a. Detail management's approach to leadership, diversity and inclusion. How has management integrated diversity into the actions and activities of this business? What initiatives or changes have you brought about to drive diversity and inclusion? Diversity may include age, gender, ethnic, sexual orientation etc.

    b. Demonstrate how this diverse workplace has created a positive impact on your operations or customer success metrics. Illustrate how it positively influences outcomes, actions and activities in your business and provide diversity metrics stating breakdown of gender, culture etc of current FTEs.

    c. How effectively has your leadership on Diversity & Inclusion contributed to the company's success?

    d. Please also provide between 1-3 examples of customer testimonials, marketing collateral or other sources of information (such as any audited financial or business metrics and/or statements, or third-party independent party reports) as evidence to support your answers.

Outstanding FinTech Leader of the Year

  • This award recognises an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in the transformation and growth of the Australian fintech sector, either through defining new standards, launching a key technology initiative, or driving a regulatory-related change that benefits the industry and delivers benefits to investors, businesses and/or consumers.

    This is open to all leaders in the role of Founder, CEO or senior management across any function e.g. MD/GM/CXO etc in the Australian Fintech ecosystem i.e. they are currently working for a Fintech Startup, Hub, Accelerator/Incubator or Venture Capital Firm in Australia.

  • a. Detail your approach to leadership, and how it has contributed to the success and growth of the business.

    b. Provide up to 3 examples of initiatives you have developed as a leader in your business, detailing the success of the initiative and its impact on business growth. Please include reference to staff management, including your ability to recruit and retain key team members, as well as product development and culture.

    c. What is a major obstacle you or your business has overcome, and how did your leadership ensure a favourable outcome?

    d. Please provide one to three references, testimonials or other sources of information (such as any audited financial or business metrics and/or statements, or third-party independent data reports) as evidence to support your answers.

Female FinTech Leader of the Year

  • This award specifically recognises a woman in the fintech community who has demonstrated a commitment to fintech innovation that delivers benefits to investors, businesses and/or consumers.

    This is open to all women leaders in the role of Founder, CEO or senior management across any function e.g. MD/GM/COO, CMO, CFO, CTO etc in the Australian Fintech ecosystem i.e. they are currently working for a Fintech Startup, Hub, Accelerator/Incubator or Venture Capital Firm in Australia.

  • a. Detail your approach to leadership, and how it has contributed to the success and growth of the business.

    b. Provide up to 3 examples of initiatives you have developed as a leader in your business, detailing the success of the initiative and its impact on business growth. Please include reference to staff management, including your ability to recruit and retain key team members, as well as product development and culture.

    c. What is a major obstacle you or your business has overcome, and how did your leadership ensure a favourable outcome?

    d. Please provide one to three references, testimonials or other sources of information (such as any audited financial or business metrics and/or statements, or third-party independent data reports) as evidence to support your answers.

Emerging FinTech Leader of the Year (Under 35)

  • The Emerging FinTech Leader category acknowledges rising stars and aspiring leaders in fintech who are making a mark in their industry. This award recognises an individual in the fintech community who has demonstrated a commitment to fintech innovation that delivers benefits to investors, businesses and/or consumers.

    Note: Nominations are invited from successful young fintech leaders between the ages of 18 and 35 (at the time of the Finnie Awards on 6 June 2024). They must be currently working for a Fintech Startup, Hub, Accelerator/Incubator or Venture Capital Firm in Australia, and do not necessarily need to be a founder - entries are encouraged from all parts of the organisation.

  • a. Detail your approach to leadership, and how it has contributed to the success and growth of the business.

    b. Provide up to 3 examples of initiatives you have developed as a leader in your business, detailing the success of the initiative and its impact on business growth. Please include reference to staff management, including your ability to recruit and retain key team members, as well as product development and culture.

    c. What is a major obstacle you or your business have overcome, and how did your leadership ensure a favourable outcome?

    d. Please provide one to three references, testimonials or other sources of information (such as any audited financial or business metrics and/or statements, or third-party independent data reports) as evidence to support your answers.

Excellence in Establishing Global Market Presence

  • This award recognises the fintech headquartered or founded in Australia, that has most successfully proliferated its presence and identity globally through the creation of a strong brand or IP strategy. For example, this could include the use of a trade mark, digital or physical presence to expand their customer base in relation to count and location.

    Note: Metrics can be global & domestic

  • *Confirm if the company was founded and/or headquartered in Australia.

    a. Detail the strategy you have undertaken to establish your market presence in overseas markets, particularly with respect to gaining customer traction (B2C, B2B or both). Highlight any unique ways in which you have developed or executed this strategy compared to your peers.

    b. Detail the strategy you have undertaken to increase your market recognition in the global market. Please provide metrics that demonstrate an increase in market recognition.

    In executing the above, please discuss obstacles that you encountered, and any creative or novel solutions that you employed to overcome these obstacles.

    c. Please also provide between 1-3 examples of customer testimonials, marketing collateral or other sources of information (such as any audited financial or business metrics and/or statements, or third-party independent data reports) as evidence to support your answers. Please ensure that the examples clearly indicate evidence of growth in multiple geographies i.e. Australia plus another country/other countries.

Excellence in Industry Collaboration & Partnerships (single or multiple)

  • This award recognises an exemplary collaboration or partnership between at least one fintech and one or more other organisations delivering innovation that assists retail investors, companies/institutions or consumers through an innovative fintech platform or functionality or through knowledge-sharing. The partnership could be between two Australian companies or an Australian fintech and international partner, but must show opportunity to scale.

    This award aims to celebrate companies that are willing to work together to drive the cultural and economic success of the fintech ecosystem.

  • a. Detail the nature of the collaborations or partnerships, including the benefits delivered and received by the applicant?

    b. Detail the benefits delivered to the end customer (whether B2B, B2C or B2B2C). Highlight any specific, unique synergies or competitive advantages that eventuated from the collaborations or partnerships?

    c. How is the partnership innovative? How has this partnership impacted the growth of the fintech ecosystem or driven cultural change both in Australia and abroad?

    d. Please also provide 1-3 examples of customer testimonials or other sources of information (such as any audited financial or business metrics and/or statements, or third-party independent data reports) as evidence to support your answers. At least one of these should be provided by, or endorsed by the collaboration partners or partnerships.

Excellence in Business Lending

  • This award recognises the fintech that has generated outstanding B2B lending results through innovative yet stable, sustainable operations, and their ability to serve their clients while sustaining sound financial performance. This category is not restricted by Business model - e.g. entrants can include innovative lending aggregation platforms, peer-to-peer lending, balance sheet lending, invoice financing, etc.

  • a. Describe your fintech product/service. What benefits do you deliver to your customers, and have these benefits enabled you to increase your marketshare and customer base?

    b. How does your product/service realise these benefits for your customers more effectively than other substitute products and competitors? and how have you differentiated yourself from other products/services in the market?

    c. Describe how your business model creates a sustainable competitive advantage in your chosen market, and how it will position you for future growth into other product, customer or market segments.

    d. Demonstrate by using metrics how your business model has positioned your company for success using any key growth metrics that you are comfortable sharing (e.g. revenue, customers, churn, customer satisfaction etc).

    e. Please also provide 1-3 examples of customer testimonials, marketing collateral or other sources of information (such as any audited financial or business metrics and/or statements, or third-party independent party reports) as evidence to support your answers.

Excellence in Consumer Lending

  • This award recognises the fintech that has generated outstanding B2C lending results through innovative yet stable, sustainable operations, and their ability to serve their clients while sustaining sound financial performance. This category is not restricted by Business model - e.g. entrants can include innovative lending aggregation platforms, peer-to-peer lending, balance sheet lending, just-in-time lending, etc.

  • a. Describe your fintech product/service. What benefits do you deliver to your customers, and have these benefits enabled you to increase your marketshare and customer base?

    b. How does your product/service realise these benefits for your customers more effectively than other substitute products and competitors? and how have you differentiated yourself from other products/services in the market?

    c. Describe how your business model creates a sustainable competitive advantage in your chosen market, and how it will position you for future growth into other product, customer or market segments.

    d. Demonstrate by using metrics how your business model has positioned your company for success using any key growth metrics that you are comfortable sharing (e.g. revenue, customers, churn, customer satisfaction etc).

    e. Please also provide 1-3 examples of customer testimonials, marketing collateral or other sources of information (such as any audited financial or business metrics and/or statements, or third-party independent party reports) as evidence to support your answers.

Excellence in Payments

  • This award is for the fintech payments provider with the most innovative, efficient and secure service as experienced by their clients transacting across a wide range of use cases and/or geographic locations. Entrants can be either B2B and B2C services.

  • a. Describe your fintech product/service. What benefits do you deliver to your customers, and have these benefits enabled you to increase your marketshare and customer base?

    b. How does your product/service realise these benefits for your customers more effectively than other substitute products and competitors? and how have you differentiated yourself from other products/services in the market?

    c. Describe how your business model creates a sustainable competitive advantage in your chosen market, and how it will position you for future growth into other product, customer or market segments.

    d. Demonstrate by using metrics how your business model has positioned your company for success using any key growth metrics that you are comfortable sharing (e.g. revenue, customers, churn, customer satisfaction etc).

    e. Please also provide 1-3 examples of customer testimonials, marketing collateral or other sources of information (such as any audited financial or business metrics and/or statements, or third-party independent party reports) as evidence to support your answers.

Excellence in Wealth Management

  • This award recognises the fintech providing the most innovative, cost-effective and high- quality Investment and Wealth Management solution, either direct to consumer or to the financial advice and wealth management industry. This can also include asset management solutions.

  • a. Describe your fintech product/service. What benefits do you deliver to your customers, and have these benefits enabled you to increase your marketshare and customer base?

    b. How does your product/service realise these benefits for your customers more effectively than other substitute products and competitors? and how have you differentiated yourself from other products/services in the market?

    c. Describe how your business model creates a sustainable competitive advantage in your chosen market, and how it will position you for future growth into other product, customer or market segments.

    d. Demonstrate by using metrics how your business model has positioned your company for success using any key growth metrics that you are comfortable sharing (e.g. revenue, customers, churn, customer satisfaction etc).

    e. Please also provide 1-3 examples of customer testimonials, marketing collateral or other sources of information (such as any audited financial or business metrics and/or statements, or third-party independent party reports) as evidence to support your answers.

Excellence in Blockchain

  • This award recognises the fintech with the most successful and innovative application of Blockchain/Distributed Ledger in financial services (or adjacent areas).

    Completed pilots can also be included in this category.

    Note: Precondition for approval of entry: The entrant must use blockchain technology.

  • a. Describe your fintech product/service. What benefits do you deliver to your customers, and have these benefits enabled you to increase your marketshare and customer base?

    b. How does your product/service realise these benefits for your customers more effectively than other substitute products and competitors? and how have you differentiated yourself from other products/services in the market?

    c. Describe how your business model creates a sustainable competitive advantage in your chosen market, and how it will position you for future growth into other product, customer or market segments.

    d. Demonstrate by using metrics how your business model has positioned your company for success using any key growth metrics that you are comfortable sharing (e.g. revenue, customers, churn, customer satisfaction etc).

    e. Please also provide 1-3 examples of customer testimonials, marketing collateral or other sources of information (such as any audited financial or business metrics and/or statements, or third-party independent party reports) as evidence to support your answers.

Excellence in Crypto & Digital Currencies/Wallets/Exchanges

  • This award recognises the fintech with the most successful and innovative application of Cryptocurrency and/or Digital Currencies/Wallets/Exchanges technology.

    Completed pilots can also be included in this category.

  • a. Describe your fintech product/service. What benefits do you deliver to your customers, and have these benefits enabled you to increase your marketshare and customer base?

    b. How does your product/service realise these benefits for your customers more effectively than other substitute products and competitors? and how have you differentiated yourself from other products/services in the market?

    c. Describe how your business model creates a sustainable competitive advantage in your chosen market, and how it will position you for future growth into other product, customer or market segments.

    d. Demonstrate by using metrics how your business model has positioned your company for success using any key growth metrics that you are comfortable sharing (e.g. revenue, customers, churn, customer satisfaction etc).

    e. Please also provide 1-3 examples of customer testimonials, marketing collateral or other sources of information (such as any audited financial or business metrics and/or statements, or third-party independent party reports) as evidence to support your answers.

Excellence in Open Data

  • This award recognises the fintech that provides the most innovative open data or open banking product or service.

  • a. Describe your fintech product/service. What benefits do you deliver to your customers, and have these benefits enabled you to increase your marketshare and customer base?

    b. How does your product/service realise these benefits for your customers more effectively than other substitute products and competitors? and how have you differentiated yourself from other products/services in the market?

    c. Describe how your business model creates a sustainable competitive advantage in your chosen market, and how it will position you for future growth into other product, customer or market segments.

    d. Demonstrate by using metrics how your business model has positioned your company for success using any key growth metrics that you are comfortable sharing (e.g. revenue, customers, churn, customer satisfaction etc).

    e. Please also provide 1-3 examples of customer testimonials, marketing collateral or other sources of information (such as any audited financial or business metrics and/or statements, or third-party independent party reports) as evidence to support your answers.

Excellence in Insurtech

  • This award recognises the insurtech that has demonstrated the most innovative technologically-enabled advances in the insurance industry. Indicators such as new ways of distribution, competitiveness of underwriting and pricing, ease of making purchases, claims management and use of data in new ways along with growth can be included.

  • a. Describe your fintech product/service. What benefits do you deliver to your customers, and have these benefits enabled you to increase your marketshare and customer base?

    b. How does your product/service realise these benefits for your customers more effectively than other substitute products and competitors? and how have you differentiated yourself from other products/services in the market?

    c. Describe how your business model creates a sustainable competitive advantage in your chosen market, and how it will position you for future growth into other product, customer or market segments.

    d. Demonstrate by using metrics how your business model has positioned your company for success using any key growth metrics that you are comfortable sharing (e.g. revenue, customers, churn, customer satisfaction etc).

    e. Please also provide 1-3 examples of customer testimonials, marketing collateral or other sources of information (such as any audited financial or business metrics and/or statements, or third-party independent party reports) as evidence to support your answers.

Excellence in Regtech

  • This award recognises the regtech that has demonstrated the best technology to manage the regulatory processes within the financial industry. The main functions being on solutions to better regulatory monitoring, reporting, and compliance. The innovative use of cloud computing technology through software-as-a-service (SaaS) to help businesses comply with regulations efficiently and less expensively.

  • a. Describe your fintech product/service. What benefits do you deliver to your customers, and have these benefits enabled you to increase your marketshare and customer base?

    b. How does your product/service realise these benefits for your customers more effectively than other substitute products and competitors? and how have you differentiated yourself from other products/services in the market?

    c. Describe how your business model creates a sustainable competitive advantage in your chosen market, and how it will position you for future growth into other product, customer or market segments.

    d. Demonstrate by using metrics how your business model has positioned your company for success using any key growth metrics that you are comfortable sharing (e.g. revenue, customers, churn, customer satisfaction etc).

    e. Please also provide 1-3 examples of customer testimonials, marketing collateral or other sources of information (such as any audited financial or business metrics and/or statements, or third-party independent party reports) as evidence to support your answers.

Excellence in FinTech Support Services

  • This award recognises the support services that have provided the highest level of assistance to fintechs in their operation and growth or a business that helps drive the growth of the fintech community through physical infrastructure (space), connections and capital.

    This award is open to consulting firms, legal support, accounting, technology companies and incubators/hubs/co-working spaces, accelerators or investment firms that demonstrate how they have contributed to the success and growth of various individual fintech companies through the provision of exceptional business support services and connections.

  • a. Briefly describe your firm’s services, and its role and position in the fintech ecosystem.

    b. How does your service support fintech customers more effectively than other products and competitors? Why would a fintech choose you for support as opposed to others? Describe how your service differentiates you from your competitors.

    c. How do you engage with the broader startup community? How do you foster an inclusive startup ecosystem?

    d. Provide examples of the innovations or successes that you have helped your fintech clients/residents/members/portfolio companies to achieve. You must be able to clearly show how your business's activities contributed significantly to the outcome.

    e. Please also provide between 1-3 examples of customer testimonials or other independently verified sources of information, which may also include relevant metrics from your fintech clients e.g. revenue, customers, churn, customer satisfaction etc that you have obtained permission from them to share as evidence to support your answers.

Positive Impact Award

  • This award recognises the fintech organisation that has addressed a socio-economic challenge and/or has made a positive impact to people/customers , the community or the environment.

  • a. Briefly describe the technology, service or initiative that addresses and positively impacts people, the community or the environment.

    b. How have these initiatives impacted people, the community or the environment?

    c. Please also provide between 1-3 examples of customer testimonials or other independently verified sources of information, which may also include relevant metrics from your fintech clients e.g. revenue, customers, churn, customer satisfaction etc that you have obtained permission from them to share as evidence to support your answers.