What is
Fintech65™ is a Talent Initiative from Fintech Nation to identify and recognise emerging and proven leaders across different categories like startups, corporate, product management and venture capital in Singapore. Fintech65 develops annual lists of 65 leaders curated by leaders from industry and academic institutions with an open nomination process for grassroots participation. The platform enables peer-to-peer learning and mentorship for young talents from experienced ones.
Since 2022, more than 700+ individuals were nominated and 500+ were recognized across categories.
In 2022, categories in focus were Emerging FinTech Founders, Young Leaders in FinTech (aged 30 and younger), Women in FinTech, Women in Corporate and Women Investors. Fintech Nation partners with the Singapore Fintech Association and Elevandi (organiser of the Singapore Fintech Festival) as community partners for the Fintech65™ platform.
The Fintech65™ is our way of celebrating the most influential contributors to the fintech ecosystem in Singapore. From start-ups to financial institutions to big tech, these individuals have made meaningful contributions across regulatory and compliance, ESG and sustainability, Web3 and Blockchain, and women in the Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics domains.
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We are thrilled to honour these trailblazers who have demonstrated their vision, leadership, and innovation in advancing fintech in Singapore.
The following set of judging criteria have been used to identify the top 65 individuals:
1. Impact: The extent of the individual's impact on the fintech industry in Singapore and beyond
2. Innovation: The individual's ability to innovate and create new solutions in the fintech space
3. Builder/Founders: they have built product, they can be technical, they can be commercial, they can build teams/operations to go from an idea to something real
4. Leadership: The individual's leadership qualities and the ability to inspire and guide teams
5. Industry Recognition: The individual's recognition and awards within the fintech industry in Singapore and beyond
6. Contribution to Community: The individual's contribution to the fintech community in Singapore, through mentoring, education, or other forms of community engagement.
Once again, We are proud to recognize and honor these exceptional individuals who have played a pivotal role in shaping the fintech landscape in Singapore, often creating and sometimes bringing international standards over too.
FINTECH65
2025 Nomination is OPEN
Fintech65 was set up to celebrate the best of Singapore’s Fintech talent while also highlighting opportunities amongst the leaders for peer-to-peer learning and mentorship. Fintech65 initiative invites members of the Fintech community to nominate established and emerging leaders and founders across different nomination categories each year. Fintech65 honours and recognises these industry trailblazers who have demonstrated their work, vision, leadership, and innovation in driving forward Singapore’s Fintech industry.
This year, the Fintech65 listings will recognise a total of 65 leaders across the following FOUR categories:
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Early Stage Investors
Recognizing and putting the spotlight on early-stage and emerging investors who are supporting the Singaporean startups and fintechs. Looking for investors who have niche areas of funding needs such as Sustainability, SportsTech, etc.
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Friends of Fintech
Startups need access to the right ecosystem partners & enablers spanning industry players, such as professional services & accounting firms, lawyers, marketing and branding, and co-working spaces. We aim to recognise the efforts of these players who support the startups with the building blocks they need to grow and expand upon
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Rising Stars (Women)
Continuing with our tradition, we would like to identify rising women stars in Singapore ecosystem. Whether it’s a product person, or a corporate executive or someone who is going above and beyond to do more for D&I in Singapore, we want to recognize you!
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Emerging Leaders of Payments
Payments ecosystem in Singapore is second to none, and we want to shine the light on the leaders in this space. People who are innovating and re-inventing the wheel and paving the way forward constantly.
2024
Categories
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Emerging Investors
For Singapore startups and the venture capital industry to scale, ensuring a new pool of emerging investors is crucial as associate, analyst, and portfolio manager. We aim to recognise talent in investment roles for less than six years to focus on previously unrecognised talent.
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Women Board Members
A report we co-authored last year showed that, on average, only 13% of the boards in the ASEAN fintech landscape have women board members/ observers. We aim to recognise these distinguished women leaders' accomplishments while advocating for more inclusive board representation.
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Friends of Fintech
Startups need access to the right ecosystem partners and enablers spanning industry players, such as professional services and accounting firms, lawyers, marketing and branding, and co-working spaces. We aim to recognise the efforts of these players who support the startups with the building blocks they need to grow and expand upon.
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Woman Investor in Fintech
Woman Investor in Fintech, based in Singapore for over a year, showcases her acumen by directly investing in or aiding her company with at least three deals in the past two years. Whether an angel investor, sole capitalist, or a pivotal member of a VC/PE/FO, her influence and strategic decisions bolster Singapore's fintech ecosystem.