Istanbul Fintech Week, billed as the largest regional financial technology event in the region, hosted more than 50 sessions on 13 and 14 April.
Supported by the Financial Innovation and Technology Association (FINTR), the summit united entrepreneurs and companies active in the field of financial technology for the first time since 2019. Due to the pandemic, the 2020 and 2022 editions were virtual.
There was much excitement about returning back in person this year, with leading names of the industry on the billing for two days in Fişekhane, a redeveloped mixed use area just in the outskirts of the city’s historic city walls.
The event encompassed three separate summits: Blockchain Fest, Digital Finance Summit and Women in Fintech Summit.
Fintech focus
Prior to the event, FINTR chairman and KOOP Ventures co-founder Demet Zübeyiroğlu, said (translated from Turkish): “We see that the fintech industry takes its place among the strong sectors in Turkey. In this context, we think that bringing together international stakeholders in Istanbul with such an organisation is very valuable both for the development and globalisation of the financial world and for Istanbul to become a center of attraction in the field of fintech.
“On the other hand, we believe that the event will provide important opportunities for Turkish startups to meet with global stakeholders and expand abroad.”
The host, Turkey, has a very vibrant and interesting fintech landscape. Turkey is a high-middle economy that has a large population and Istanbul itself being a major financial centre in the Middle East and Africa (MEA). Its unique historical and cultural bridge between Europe, the Middle East and Asia puts the country in a favourable position with respect to economic growth.
Participants were from not just from Turkey but also others from across the region and the rest of the world.
Istanbul Fintech Week in photos
The entrance leading to Istanbul Fintech Week in the upscale redeveloped mixed-use area of Fişekhane (below) as well as a selfie of the same entrance.
Areas for networking
Talks and events throughout the two days
Participants and speakers were not just from Turkey but across the MEA and the rest of the world
The event made its triumphant return in person since the pandemic
I took part in day two as a panelist titled Is digital-only banking possible? This included moderator and co-founder of Koop Ventures and FINTR Mustafa Baltaci and other fellow panellist Sinem Canturk from KPMG Turkey.
There were also a series of roundtables throughout which I also partook in. One was called Future Readiness in Finance.
And of course a trip to Istanbul cannot be complete without a bit of sightseeing!
There is of course the famous Hagia Sofia and the Blue Mosque (pictured)
There was also a bit of exploring in the Taksim area as well
And last but not least – a lot of amazing Turkish food!
Image and article originally from thefintechtimes.com. Read the original article here.