Finovate highlights innovations from all
All company stages innovate. Finovate demos are selected based on the merits of the technology. This is why you see established leaders demoing alongside young startups. This is also what makes us uniquely Finovate.
Only at Finovate
Demoing companies are at the center of Finovate events, with two days spotlighting 60+ new technologies. And these aren't just short-handed pitches; they're real product demos.
As financial services expand, so does the featured technology. Demo lineups are curated for diversity, to offer something for everyone.
Startups, established firms, and financial institutions with new innovations are encouraged to apply.
Hear from some of the 2025 demoers on their Finovate experience. --->
Focusing on innovation in sustainability or inclusion? You may qualify for a scholarship.
Finovate's scholarship program spotlights underrepresented founders and startups tackling climate change, diversity, and financial inclusion.
Best of Show
Finovate is known for curating innovative technology showcases worthy of main stage attention. Yet, some demos have a way of creating a special connection with the audience, and these are the ones that win the highly-coveted Best of Show awards.
Some of the most recognizable names in fintech and tech debuted at Finovate and took home this honor. These are companies that grew into magical unicorns, were acquired in game-changing deals, raised jaw-dropping capital rounds, and more. Learn more about them.
Winners from FinovateFall 2025 included Casap, Eko, Krida, LemonadeLXP, LendAPI, Vertice AI. Catch up with them on Finovate's podcast and watch their demos.
<--- Hear from past winners on what winning Best of Show means to them.
FinovateFall by the numbers
2,000+
decision-makers
50%+
from banks & financial institutions
475+
financial institutions represented
Finovate Demo Package: Sales, Connections, and Support
Showcase Your Solution to Senior-Leader Decision-Makers
- 7-minute demo on the main stage during the general session on September 9 or 10, 2026.
- Physical demo stand in the exhibit hall on your demo day, complete with monitor, internet, power, and lead scanning.
- Two passes for your speakers to attend the event.
- 50% discounted passes for your customers and colleagues.
- Chance to win the coveted Best of Show award, a prestigious recognition.
- Video of your demo for your own company usage.
- Demo video hosted on Finovate.com, reaching 530,000+ visitors annually.
Networking Opportunities: Drive Sales and Generate Leads
- Event platform and networking app access to view all attendees, chat and schedule 15-minute meetings hosted in the exhibit hall.
- Lead data and reports for all attendees who watched your live demo, plus demo stand visitors on site and digital engagement through the event platform.
- Attendee titles & organizations list before the event for lead targeting.
- Media & analyst list with contact details shared ahead of time to help you connect with key influencers.
360° Support: Maximize Your Demo’s Impact and ROI
- 30-minute one-on-one coaching for demo skills and format with Greg Palmer.
- 10-minute demo rehearsal on the event stage with full A/V support (September 8).
- Exposure on Finovate's blog and weekly newsletter with 40,000+ visitors/month and 6,500+ newsletter subscribers.
- Company & speaker profiles on the event website with 40,000+ views/month.
- Social media exposure to Finovate's 75,000+ followers and 5,500+ LinkedIn newsletter subscribers, plus 2,900+ YouTube subscribers with 80,000+ views/year.
- Visibility in emails sent to relevant segments of a database of 120,000+ senior fintech decision-makers.
- Lifetime coverage of your company’s future notable events (e.g., product launches, industry awards) to Finovate’s digital community.
2026 Demo Pricing
If your company is selected to demo, the demo fee depends on the business category selected in the online application.
Business Category*
- A: Less than $7M USD in total equity funding
- B: $7M+ to $16M USD in total equity funding
- C: $16M+ to $25M USD in total equity funding
- D: $25M+ to $40M USD in total equity funding
- E: $40M+ USD in total equity funding or any company that is publicly listed on any stock exchange
A few notes:
- Total equity funding and revenue are required in the application. The application data and application process are confidential.
- If your company is bootstrapped, founder funded, or has otherwise not raised any equity funding, choose the business category that matches your annual revenue. I.e., if your annual revenue is $10M, select category B.
- If you are applying to demo a brand or technology that is part of a larger company, select the business category of the company rather than the brand or technology itself. Only subsidiaries or separate legal entities will be categorized independently from the parent company.
- If you are a category C/D/E company and prefer a screening phone call instead of submitting the application, please reach out to demo@finovate.com.
Very early-bird application: apply before or on May 15, 2026
- A: $7,000 USD
- B: $8,000 USD
- C: $10,000 USD
- D: $12,000 USD
- E: $18,000 USD
Early-bird application: apply before or on June 19, 2026
- A: $7,500 USD
- B: $9,000 USD
- C: $11,000 USD
- D: $13,000 USD
- E: $20,000 USD
Regular application: apply after June 19, 2026
- A: $8,000 USD
- B: $10,000 USD
- C: $12,000 USD
- D: $14,000 USD
- E: $22,000 USD
What is a demo?
A demo is a live showcase of a company's technology.
More specifically, though, it's the real-time use and operation of the company's software, platform, product, or service. The demo must be conducted in a live computing environment controlled by the company in which user inputs produce observable, immediate responses from the technology.
What's prohibited?
- Pre-recorded representations (including videos, animated simulations, GIFs, screen recordings, or screen captures made to appear interactive).
- Use of slides of any type (including slides hosted on a webpage), videos of any type (including pre-recorded videos of the product/solution/platform/service in operation, whether partial or full), animations, or prototypes (including but not limited to Figma, InVision, or equivalent tools).
- Speaking-only presentations without a demo.
Why is this important?
For nearly 20 years, Finovate has built a dedicated community around live demos. They’re the most effective way for attendees to evaluate your technology and assess its fit for their business. Live demos are what they come to see—and what they expect.
Finovate depends on selected demo companies to deliver the experience attendees deserve and uphold the tradition that sets Finovate apart.
Note: Depending on the type of technology, certain exceptions may be authorized by Finovate and will be done so in writing.
Selection criteria
Finovate conferences are open to startup, established and public companies with new financial services technology. This results in a highly competitive selection process. Hundreds of inquiries and applications are reviewed when selecting the demo lineup.
While you may be contacted for more information, most companies are chosen based solely on their application. Please ensure the application is filled out as completely as possible with the below criteria in mind.
Development
Is the technology new or with material developments? Do you have a substantial announcement about expanding your technology's reach or focus?
Originality
Is the approach original and innovative? How big of a technological/logical leap does it make? Does it break boundaries or go beyond the norm?
Potential
What is the potential to make an impact? Disrupt the market? Open a new stream of innovation?
Diversity
Is the technology in a lesser-known space? What's special about technology in the same space?
Demo lineups cover a range of fintech/finserv/techfin. Even in trending areas, we're always looking for companies who stand out.
Why Finovate?
Finovate's successful events are built on a few core principles:
Focus
The focus of Finovate events. Demos are shown on the main stage in the general session -- not in a track or the exhibition area like at other events. And lineups are curated for diversity and selectivity. Because of this, demoers have the attention of hundreds of senior fintech decision-makers at the event.
Format
Only demos. No shorthand pitches, no slides, and no videos allowed. A live demo is the best way to show your potential buyers, partners and investors how your tech can benefit them.
Selectivity
Finovate builds the demo lineup from hundreds of inquiries across the full breadth of new financial services technology. Lineups are curated for diversity, to offer something for everyone in the audience, something that they need to see. And featured companies range from young startups to established leaders to new unicorns.
Exposure
A powerful platform to find customers, network with peers, raise capital and discover partners. This includes exposure to hundreds of senior fintech leaders during the event and to 100,000s of fintech professionals via pre-event marketing. Add to that, lifetime coverage of company news, awards and wins by Finovate analysts to our robust community.
2500+ Track Record
Finovate is known for curating innovative technology showcases, and some of the most recognizable names in fintech and tech have debuted at Finovate since 2007.
They are companies that grew into magical unicorns, were acquired in game-changing deals, raised jaw-dropping capital rounds, and more.
Inclusion
Leading companies and brands are championing financial inclusion, diversity, and sustainability to drive the change they want to see in the world.
That’s exactly why Finovate launched a scholarship program for sustainable fintech: To highlight and help the individuals and companies driving fintech forward through sustainable and equitable practices.
