FinTech Abu Dhabi, 21 – 23 October, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre

When and where is FinTech Abu Dhabi on?

FinTech Abu Dhabi takes place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from the 21 – 23 October. The event opens on day one with the Investor Forum – a private event for leading regional and international investors to gather with their peers, exchange ideas and practices, and hear from some of the most exciting FinTech leaders from around the world.

Days two and three offer everyone from FinTech startups and scaleups through to investors, influencers and innovators the chance to come together and hear from industry leaders on the core areas that make up FinTech and the issues, innovations and inspirations that are challenging and shaping this fast-growing sector.

How many years has it been going?

FinTech Abu Dhabi is now in its third year. This third edition will further cement  FinTech Abu Dhabi’s position as MENA’s largest FinTech festival, exploring the next frontier of financial technology and innovation.

What exciting things can people look forward to?

FinTech Abu Dhabi will be the meeting point for the global FinTech community in 2019, featuring many country delegations, a new global challenge format, a FinTech World Tour, the inaugural FinTech Abu Dhabi Awards and a showcase of the world’s most promising FinTech startups and scaleups.

The FinTech Abu Dhabi Innovation Challenge is where real corporate challenges are brought to market, giving global leaders in FinTech the opportunity and support to refine their solutions and scale with the Abu Dhabi business community.

The inaugural FinTech Abu Dhabi Awards sets the gold standard for excellence in the field of FinTech, promoting and supporting existing talent within the UAE and MENA region.

Taking FinTech Abu Dhabi global, the FinTechAD Tour has already visited New York, London, Kigali, Shenzhen, Beijing, Baku, Singapore, Tbilisi, Tashkent and Nur-Sultan. Next stops include: Casablanca, Milan, Frankfurt, Cairo, Luxembourg, Riyadh and Amman. The Tour connects global finance hubs around the world to bring together emerging and scaling FinTech businesses and connect them to FinTech Abu Dhabi.

For businesses looking to scale internationally, with a focus on the Middle East and North Africa, the FinTech Abu Dhabi tour is an ideal introduction to the challenges facing the MENA region (and beyond). Businesses are invited to apply to take part in pitch sessions, addressing the issues of RegTech & SupTech, Financial Inclusion, Digital Marketplaces, Insurance, Banking & Finance, Wealth & Asset Manaagement and Security & Trust. Winners of each leg of the Tour will be invited to pitch at FinTech Abu Dhabi with the overall chance to apply to the Hub71 incentive programme with subsidized housing, office space and health insurance in Abu Dhabi.

The #FinTechAD MENA Tour has started!
Today we're in Amman at @QRCE on the hunt for the winning FinTech startup who will join us next month at #FinTechAD.

Click here to register for your last-minute complimentary seat: https://t.co/Y6GIDTBJT0 pic.twitter.com/Jz7wNWwTq5

— FinTech Abu Dhabi (@FinTechAD) September 15, 2019

What opportunities are on offer for those attending?

In addition to many networking opportunities, FinTech Abu Dhabi provides the chance for delegates to connect with regional ecosystem partners and discover exactly what the MENA region has to offer.

FinTech Abu Dhabi provides leaders with a vast community in which to connect with smart investors, industry-leading innovators and the right partners to collaborate and scale. In addition, there are many opportunities to meet with pioneers building the future of financial technologies as government, corporate partners and investors come together in a dedicated marketplace to collaborate and unlock growth.

Delegates will also have the opportunity to:

• Benefit from a range of networking opportunities including the FinTech Abu Dhabi Awards, the Regulators’ Roundtable and the Urban Experience
• Meet like-minded individuals and discover business opportunities and connections
• Watch startups and scaleups participate in the Pitch Battles
• Uncover international opportunities and meet with some of the industry’s biggest companies and leading lights

Who will be speaking?

FinTech Abu Dhabi is home to a vast array of pioneers, leading lights and industry innovators who have wowed the world of FinTech and made a real difference in their field. Currently the programme will welcome 7 FinTech unicorns to the stage, alongside a lineup comprising 80% CEOs and Founders.

Topics cover, but are not limited to, Blockchain, the Ghadan21 initiative, SME Financial Inclusion, Big Data and AI, Platform Banking, China’s impact on MENA, Regtech and Suptech, Security and much more.

Speakers to date include:

• Phil Chen, Decentralized Chief Officer, HTC
• Neeraj Gupta, CEO, Policybazaar.ae
• Richard Teng, Chief Executive Officer, Financial Services Regulatory Authority, Abu Dhabi Global Market
• Ahmed El Alfi, Founder & Chairman, Sawari Ventures
• Bin Ru Tan, CEO, OneConnect Financial Technology
• Nikolai Varma, Chief Commercial Officer, OakNorth
• Ola Doudin, Co-Founder & CEO, BitOasis
• Husayn Kassai, CEO & Co-Founder, Onfido
• Ibrahim Ajami, Head of Ventures, Mubadala
• Promoth Manghat, Group Chief Executive Officer, Finablr
• Nicholas Cary, Co-Founder & Vice Chairman, Blockchain
• Mahmoud Adi, CEO, Hub71
• Paul Byrne, CEO & President, CurrencyFair
• Steve Kirsch, CEO, Token
• Daniel Gould, Deputy CEO, Anglo-Gulf Trade Bank
• Kai Keller, Financial Innovation Lead, World Economic Forum
• Nick Lee, Head of Regulatory Affairs, OakNorth
• Michael Rolph, CEO, Yoyo Wallet
• Jonathan Rawling, CFO, yallacompare
• Mehul Desai, Group Chief Technology Officer, Finablr
• Shachar Bialick, Founder & CEO, Curve
• Mirna Sleiman, Founder & CEO, FinTech Galaxy
• Sebastian Reis, EVP Global eCommerce, Checkout.com
• Navin Gupta, Managing Directors, South Asia & MENA, Ripple
• Omar Christidis, Founder & CEO, Arabnet
• Hazem Danny Al Nakib, Partner, 7BC
• Ghela Boskovich, Head of FinTech & RegTech Partnerships, Rainmaking

What tips would you give to people attending to get the most out of it?

• Book tickets today to make the most of the special rates. By booking early, you’ll be kept up-to-date with the very latest speakers, what’s happening on the agenda, networking events and more
• Download the App – coming soon, download the app and start planning your trip and making meetings with potential partners and business contacts

How can people book tickets? When does it usually sell out?

Tickets can be purchased at www.fintechabudhabi.com. For readers of Irish Tech News, book using code ITN25 and save 25% when you purchase your two-day pass. Information on international travel and special accommodation rates can be found on the website. We advise all prospective delegates to book early to ensure they don’t miss out.

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