Australia hosts fintech festival, looking to Asia

Victoria's state government has built out a fintech runway

New fintech festival shows the Victorian government taking a lead role on fintech. 

Industry lobby FinTech Australia has announced that it will host Australia’s first national fintech festival, aiming to broadcast and connect Australian fintech to neighbouring countries.

The festival will be funded by the Victorian state government as another sign that Victoria is taking a more assertive approach in backing fintech than other states.

“The Intersekt festival will showcase Melbourne’s outstanding credentials as a global fintech hub and the world’s most liveable city to a global audience of senior fintech leaders,” said Philip Dalidakis, Victoria’s Minister for Small Business.

“The Victorian Government has provided funding to support Intersekt and looks forward to working with FinTech Australia and its partners to plan and deliver the festival.”

Key events will include a two day ‘hackathon’ as well as education sessions on blockchain, open data and challenger banking. 

Above all, the event hopes to provide links into Asia.

“Australia has tremendous potential to be world’s leading intersection for fintech innovation and a large part of that comes from our proximity, common time zone and strong cultural links to Asia,” said Simon Cant, FinTech Australia president.

“Asia presents incredible opportunities for the Australian fintech industry, including venture capital to help grow our globally focussed fintechs.”