Finnie awards launched for 2018
Australia’s 600+ fintech companies have been given the opportunity to get official recognition for their success, with entries opening for Australia’s only industry-backed awards.
FinTech Australia and the NSW Government’s Jobs for NSW today came together to launch the 2018 Finnie awards.
A total of 23 awards will be on offer, including FinTech Organisation of the Year, Outstanding FinTech Leader of the Year, Female FinTech Leader of the Year, Emerging FinTech Leader of the Year and Emerging FinTech Organisation of the Year.
In addition, fintech companies will have the opportunity to be recognised for excellence in sectors such as lending, wealth management, payments, crowdfunding, blockchain, artificial intelligence and regtech. For this year’s awards, a new award category has been introduced for the best fintech customer experience/design outcome.
“Our Finnie awards are an important way to celebrate the best and brightest in our rapidly growing and exciting fintech industry,” said FinTech Australia chair Stuart Stoyan.
“The Finnies are the one night of the year when the entire fintech community comes together to recognise the individuals and companies who are making a huge contribution to our industry.
“The award categories have also been specifically designed to help showcase companies which are tackling many of the barriers to our industry’s growth, as highlighted in our EY FinTech Australia Census.
“This includes fintechs that are driving female leadership and participation, successfully collaborating with banks and other financial institutions, expanding internationally and creating great market awareness of their product.”
This is just the second year that the Finnies have been held, with last year’s awards attracting more than 150 entries, which were examined by 40 judges.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Small Business John Barilaro said the NSW Government through Jobs for NSW will again be the presenting partner for the Finnies to demonstrate its support for advancing the sector.
“NSW is the capital of Australia’s fintech industry and home to 54 percent of fintech companies so we are delighted to host and support the nation’s only fintech industry-backed awards right here in Sydney,” he said.
“Technology is transforming financial services and we recognise the high potential to grow our fintech industry to generate future economic returns and jobs for our state.
“As well as celebrating our fintech champions through the Finnies, we are investing $35 million in the Sydney Startup Hub which is home to leading fintech accelerator Stone & Chalk. Through Jobs for NSW we have supported about 30 fintechs to date investing over $800,000 in their growth including companies like Pennybox and FarmPay.”
Nick Molnar, the CEO of Afterpay, said his company’s FinTech Organisation of the Year award in last year’s Finnies had helped build Afterpay’s brand awareness and industry backing.
“The award gave Afterpay external appreciation for the hard work and effort our dedicated team puts into the business day in, day out,” Mr Molnar said.
“We are honoured to have been awarded FinTech Organisation of the Year and recognised amongst our peers and the fintech community.
“Afterpay is proud to be able to offer a payment option that is fully aligned with the customer and resonates with Australian consumers, helping to stimulate sales and grow retail businesses.”
More details about the Finnie awards, including award entry details, are available at https://fintechaustralia.org.au/finnies-18/ and entries can be submitted https://finnies.awardsplatform.com/.
Award entries are open until Sunday 18 March, with the gala award ceremony to be held Wednesday 13 June.
