Hackathons aren't all about glasses, geeks, pocket-protectors, and Red Bull, although such stereotypes may turn off many from entering them...
This may have been the case with Dan Griffin, a self proclaimed "finance guy," who had considered entering a hackathon for years. A banker at JP Morgan, and Byte Academy FinTech student, Dan acted on his aspiration when he signed up for the Startupbootcamp FinTech x AARP FinTech hackathon. Dan and his team's product "Famancials" ended up winning the Hack. Below we interview Dan who describes his first hackathon experience (which he found surprisingly easy) and how he came out on top.
Don't have FOMO. Check out our Singapore FinTech Festival coverage:
We were honored to partner with the Monetary Authority of Singapore on their first week-long global SingaporeFinTech Festival in November which coincided with our Singapore campus opening. The Festival attracted more than 11,000 from all over the world.
Guest post by Arvind Padmanabhan, from Indian Engineering Design Forum, who attended our event this week on "Demonetization and its impact on FinTech and Digital Payments" in Bangalore.
Collaboration maybe a manifestation of competition. Hong Kong, Singapore and China race to lead the FinTech revolution. Passionate debate at Hong Kong FinTech Breakfast Briefing and The Economist #FinanceDisrupted conference
Singapore FinTech Festival
In April the Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore announced that Singapore would hold its inaugural FinTech Festival in November. He made the announcement regarding the week-long global event in New York City.
Hong Kong FinTech Breakfast Briefing, Oct. 12, 2016 Princeton Club, New York City
Finovate, which holds a series of some of the largest FinTech conferences in the world debuts Finovate Asia in Hong Kong November 8. This is days before Singapore’s FinTech Festival. Between the two events many global companies already have their airplane tickets booked, so..
Hong Kong FinTech Week
Invest Hong Kong announced on September 21st that it would be holding its first “FinTech Week.” This will kick off with Finovate and end a couple days before the Singapore event. Although both Singapore and Hong Kong may say that the current atmosphere is collaborative, the FinTech event race suggests competition. This has been true historically for both countries.
Hong Kong’s FinTech Facilitation Office (FFO) Plan to promote FinTech development, Oct. 12, 2016
Hong Kong Breakfast Briefing speakers hinted at current competition when they pointed out that Hong Kong did not need to provide large subsidies to encourage companies to innovate in the country. However, Singapore “has to.”
Will China Win The FinTech Revolution?
The sense of competition thickened the next day at The Economist’s Finance Disrupted event. The theme of the day long conference, “collaborate or die” attracted a few hundred attendees paying $2200 per ticket. Viewpoints during the afternoon's Oxford style debate, “the house believes that China will win the FinTech revolution” suggested that China's domination relied heavily on mobilizing its peoples' technology and other professional skills.
Other views suggested that China is separated from global financial power players and has a long journey to advance. One of the supports for this: although the largest banks are in China the most powerful citizens don’t trust these banks. Instead, they go to American banks such as Goldman Sachs.
#FinanceDisrupted Conference by The Economist Oct. 13, 2016 New York City. Theme? “Collaborate or Die”
Other interesting points brought up that day?The Economistused to be banned in Singapore but now it is allowed. The government has relaxed its regulatory measures too. Global leaders such as Vikram Pandit, former CEO Citigroup Inc. pointed this out as reasoning for his faith in Singapore FinTech.
Vikram Pandit, Former CEO Citigroup Inc. Professing His Love For Singapore to the Editor-In-Chief of the The Economist at Finance Disrupted, Oct. 13
Known as the “the Rocket Scientists of Wall Street”(as initially labeled by Investopedia) Quant traders or analysts - "Quants" - maybe understandingly intimidating to many. However, as their returns increase, more are becoming aware of their power. Quants are a specialized set that cannot be ignored…
Hong Kong FinTech Breakfast Briefing, Oct. 12, 2016 Princeton Club, New York City
Hong Kong’s FinTech Facilitation Office (FFO) Plan to promote FinTech development, Oct. 12, 2016
#FinanceDisrupted Conference by The Economist Oct. 13, 2016 New York City. Theme? “Collaborate or Die”
Vikram Pandit, Former CEO Citigroup Inc. Professing His Love For Singapore to the Editor-In-Chief of the The Economist at Finance Disrupted, Oct. 13