The fintech world will be gathering online on April 27-29 for the ninth annual LendIt Fintech USA event. We have upped the ante on last year’s successful online event and will be broadcasting live from the production studio at the Javits Center in New York City. This will be an online event unlike anything you have ever attended.
So, what can you expect at LendIt Fintech USA? Here is a run down of the different components of the show.
Networking
We had multiple people say after our event last year that virtual networking is better and more efficient than in-person networking. The functionality offered by our networking partner, Brella, continues to improve so you can expect an even better experience this year. We always put a huge effort into networking so we have multiple ways for you to connect with your fellow attendees from the comfort of your home or office.
- One-on-One meetings – Pre-schedule one-on-one meetings and view the complete attendee list using Brella’s world-class networking technology.
- Networking Roulette – Let our algorithm match you for a series of spontaneous one-on-one meetings each day. These are short six-minute meetings that mimic bumping into people at an in-person event.
- Women in Fintech Power Hour – Connect with impressive and interesting women during the lunch break on Day One. This is always one of the most anticipated and appreciated networking events of the year.
- Post Game Show – Join us in the 1 Fintech room on Clubhouse for an audio-only discussion with your peers to close each day.
Solutions Showcase
Find the answers to your latest challenges in our Solutions Showcase featuring almost 100 sponsors and exhibitors with great ideas to propel your business. At each virtual booth you can gather product information, chat with company reps, engage in in-depth discussions, view videos and more.
Content
We are absolutely delighted with the way our agenda has come together this year. Our virtual keynote stage has some of the biggest names in fintech, companies that are rewriting the rules in financial services. In our afternoon breakout tracks we go more in-depth into the most important fintech topics of the day.
Back to the keynotes. While every keynote session I expect to be great here are the five that are most hotly anticipated:
- Mike Cagney – CEO of Figure
There is no one in fintech who has the combination of vision, creativity and ability to execute quite like Mike Cagney. He is bringing his unique skills now in tackling the inequality that has been caused by existing financial products. We know new approaches are needed and you will want to hear Mike’s vision for what this future can look like. - Nick Molnar – CEO of Afterpay
Probably the hottest area of fintech this past year has been the buy-now-pay-later space. Part of the reason for its popularity is the shift that is happening as consumers choose debit options over credit. Afterpay CEO sees this as a structural shift that will have a profound impact on economies going forward. - Colin Walsh – CEO of Varo Bank
Varo Bank has broken new ground as they became the first digital retail bank to be approved for a national bank charter. Now, the company is shifting its attention to creating a bank that is fair for all. CEO Colin Walsh has spent his entire career in banking, he knows what is wrong and more importantly how to build a better bank that is more equitable for everyone. - Henrique Dubugras – CEO of Brex
The financial options for businesses have never been better. Part of the reason for this is because of companies like Brex that are creating financial products that are resonating with startups. But there is much more work to be done here and Brex CEO Henrique Dubugras will share what the future of business banking can look like. - Jennifer Tescher – CEO of Financial Health Network
It is no longer good enough to just talk about the importance of financial health. As an industry we need to take action, measurable action. This will be the key going forward. How do we know our products are really benefiting our customers? By measuring their actual impact. Jennifer Tescher will provide us with a framework to do just that.
You can see a trend here just in these five keynotes. Interest in financial equality and using fintech as a force for change has never been stronger. You will see this reflected throughout our agenda during the three days of the event. This is what we, as an industry, need to be working on right now.
PitchIt @ LendIt
Our startup competition is bank with a whole new batch of promising fintech companies. In the morning of day three you will be able to watch pitches from eight finalists in PitchIt @ LendIt. Our panel of venture capital investors will decide who is the most promising fintech company of 2021.
Discounted Pricing Ends Friday
Discounted pricing for LendIt Fintech USA ends at midnight on Friday. At that time the price goes up $200. But don’t forget that Lend Academy readers always get the best deal, so you can use the code LENDACADEMYVIP to receive 15% off the already discounted price.
See you online
This is an important time for fintech and LendIt Fintech USA is the event for this moment. Never before has finance been through such changes in a 12-month period. But we are just getting started. Come see what the future will look like at the largest fintech event of the year to date.
I look forward to seeing you online at the end of this month.
