Wales’ first Fintech Festival brought the Welsh ecosystem together in Swansea on 3 June, with a sold-out event celebrating the innovation, collaboration and growth shaping the nation’s fintech sector.
Hosted at the Swansea Building Society Arena, the Wales Fintech Festival welcomed fintech leaders, founders, investors, policymakers, academics and ecosystem partners from across Wales and beyond for a full day of insight, connection and opportunity.
Adam Price MS, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, welcomed attendees to the festival, declaring that “Wales isn’t asking if it belongs in global fintech, but is shaping where it goes next”.
Alongside appearances from well-known global names including Nigel Morris, Justin Basini, Anne Boden and Henry Engelhardt, the event showcased the talent, expertise and ambition that continues to strengthen Wales’ reputation as a place where fintech businesses can start, scale and invest.
With presentations showcasing future talent, solutions to cross-sector challenges, and panels promoting Welsh businesses leading globally, AI efficiencies and how fintech can be used for good for the world, the festival highlighted the progress that’s already been made and the opportunities that still lie ahead.
Sarah Jones, CEO of Fintech Wales, said: “The event wasn’t just the launch of our first festival – it was a statement of intent from Wales, and it was quite simply extraordinary.
“We brought together founders, investors, academics and innovators from across Wales and around the world, and the energy in the room was undeniable. The response to our first Wales Fintech Festival has exceeded every expectation and demonstrated the strength, ambition and confidence of our fintech ecosystem.
“For years, Welsh fintech has been building momentum, creating world-class businesses, attracting investment and developing exceptional talent. This festival showcased just how far we’ve come, but more importantly, it highlighted where we’re going next.
“The world is increasingly looking at Wales as a place where innovation thrives, where collaboration drives growth, and where fintech can be a force for positive change. We should be incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together, but this is only the beginning. The future of Welsh fintech is bright, and we’re ready to lead, innovate and show the world what Wales can do.”
Adam Price MS, Minister for Economy, Energy and Planning, who opened the festival, said: “When we talk about fintech in Wales, we are talking about a sector that is creating jobs, attracting investment and building international reach. Wales is not just participating in fintech growth — it is building real scale, creating high-value jobs and earning global recognition. The first Fintech Festival in Wales is proof that the ecosystem has matured, Wales has international gravity and that collaboration works.
“The Welsh Government is committed to backing talent, supporting innovation and bringing even more global investment into Wales. Together, let us support our innovators, embrace new technologies, and build a financial sector fit for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.”
Casey Cucciniello, Head of Public Sector, Wales at VodafoneThree said: “Reliable, high-quality connectivity is fundamental to how fintech businesses innovate, scale and compete, which is why VodafoneThree is investing £605 million in network infrastructure across the whole of Wales to expand coverage, accelerate 5G rollout, and support economic growth. At VodafoneThree, we see first-hand how strong digital infrastructure helps turn ideas into real-world services that support businesses, public services and communities across Wales. Events like the Wales Fintech Festival bring the ecosystem together to accelerate that progress, and it’s encouraging to see the pace and ambition shaping the future of Welsh fintech.”
The day also featured the Innovate Finance Pitch360 competition, a live pitching event that brought together a selection of high-growth fintech startups and scaleups to compete head-to-head in front of an expert judging panel, investors and industry leaders. The six finalists were Hope Macy, Chest, Finexer, Finproxy, Pendra and Verinity.
Ali Adam, founder of Chest and winner of the competition, said: “Having the opportunity to present our business in front of entrepreneurs like Henry Engelhardt is something really special. To be part of a festival of this scale, alongside leading names in the Welsh fintech ecosystem, has been an incredible experience and to come away with the win makes it even more meaningful.”
