13 different startups competed last for a cash prize of USD$2,000 and the opportunity to compete in the Fintech Finals 2017 in Hong Kong to take place on January 18th and 19th.
Held at the Visa Innovation Centre, each startup was allowed just four minutes to pitch their startup to a live audience and three industry expert judges.
Early stage to late stage startups were all welcome, and the judges based their decision on the business model application and robustness, customer experience and interface as well as the potential market disruption and impact to the industry. After a brief deliberation, the judges determined Ayannah to be the clear winner.
Providing digital financial services for the world’s unbanked, Ayannah provides Software-as-a -Service solutions that enable secure, reliable and convenient transactions over online and mobile networks.
Mikko Perez, Founder and CEO of Ayannah states, “We are thrilled to win this chance to compete in the FF17 in Hong Kong next year! I’m sure the competition will be tough there, but we are looking forward to the challenge as well as the camaraderie of meeting other innovators from across the region.”
Honorable Mentions were also awarded to Bambu, the B2B Robo Advisor firm, as well as Active Intelligence, the AI enabled platform for financial institutions, merchants and developers and Tjaara (“Marketplace” in Arabic), a B2B service that aims to help SMEs monetize relationships by offering easy access to factory-direct prices.
The other participants of the evening included:
Seedly, FOMO Pay Pte. Ltd., Chynge Pte. Ltd., Kapital Boost Pte. Ltd., Call Levels, Attores, PushCommerce, Touché, Wearify
10 semi-final competitions in all are taking place; nine throughout Asia, and one in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Winners from each city will receive a cash prize and the opportunity to be one of the final 24 startups to compete in the Fintech Finals in January. The other semi-final locations are, Seoul, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kuala Lumpur, Sydney, Melbourne, Shanghai and Tokyo. All of the semi-finals are being organized by Next Money with support from Visa and the Senjō Group.
Winner of Sydney semi-final
Tapview – a “read more” button with a small payment attached. It’s a single balance across all sites – a pay once, consume many times model.
Winner of Sao Paulo semi-final
Through access to the API of DATAHOLICS we offer a service for credit and financial institutions, consisting of the identity validation and the lifting of the economic potential of consumers and borrowers based on Social Score, all that, integrated with the customer’s system
Winner of Shangahi semi-final
DarcMatter is a fintech platform that streamlines the capital raising process for asset managers and provides investors with transparent and direct access to funds in the asset management industry.
Winner of Kuala Lumpur semi-final
MyCash Online provides end to end online services in 3 easy steps. Be that Bus Ticket, Air Ticket, Mobile Top up, International reload or bill payment, we provide you all of these services online and also ensure an easy, secure, accurate and convenient service delivery.
The Next Money chapters involved, are part of a larger initiative by Next Money and Visa to establish hubs of innovation and entrepreneurship throughout Southeast Asia. Next Money is a network of designers, entrepreneurs and finance industry executives that want to see positive change in the finance industry and meet regularly to discuss and learn about issues that the industry is facing. Through city-based chapters located in major cities throughout the world, Next Money is now expanding in Asia with Visa’s support.
Join Fintech Finals 2017 in Hong Kong with us! Register now with special code “FINTECHNEWSSG20” to get your 20% off.