What do you do if you want to keep up with the latest innovations in Financial Technology?

Being up to date with fintech news never been easier as it is today. There are plenty of good sources and discussions going on in the web all the time. A good curation is critical for saving time and accessing the opinion of the though leaders in the sector. I recommend reading material from top niched publishers (like finextra, Fintech Nexus, Finsiders Brasil, Iupana, etc), listening to some of the most relevant podcasts nowadays (Fintech Insider, Breaking Banks, Fintech Talks, Let's Open, etc), and following some of the top voices in this field here on LinkedIn.

In our current age, we are blessed with an abundance of information. However, with this blessing comes the challenge of sifting through the noise and selecting valuable information that is free from hype and buzzwords. Fortunately, through my experience with SME Banking Club, I have discovered several tools that have helped me to collect and structure information efficiently. By using Feedly to read RSS feeds, newsletters, and news from different sources in one place, LinkedIn to gather insights from experts, Pocket to save important posts quickly, and a knowledge base like Notion or Loop to structure the information, we can all rise above the noise and stay informed in a meaningful way.

To remain abreast of cutting-edge advancements in Financial Technology, it is imperative to actively engage with fintech news and blogs. By subscribing to newsletters, podcasts, webinars, and blogs that offer comprehensive coverage of the latest trends, insights, and analyses in the fintech sphere, you can stay informed and gain valuable knowledge

To stay current with the latest innovations in Financial Technology, you can engage in various activities: subscribe to industry newsletters, follow key influencers and thought leaders on social media platforms, attend relevant conferences and webinars, join fintech-focused communities and forums, explore specialized publications like Finextra or The Financial Brand, participate in hackathons or innovation challenges, and consider enrolling in online courses or certifications in fintech. Regularly seeking for updated information and networking with professionals in the field are key to keeping abreast of new developments.

To stay current with the latest innovations in Financial Technology, follow key sources such as fintech news websites like Finextra and Fintech Futures, subscribe to industry-leading podcasts like "Breaking Banks" or "Fintech Insider," attend fintech conferences such as Money 20/20, and engage with fintech communities on platforms like LinkedIn or Twitter. Additionally, consider joining fintech-focused forums or groups, participating in webinars hosted by industry experts, and reading reports from reputable firms like CB Insights or Deloitte for deep insights into emerging trends and technologies.

Getting out there and connecting to people in the fintech field is critical today - both online and in person. Here on LinkedIn there are some interesting groups around this subject (like Fintech Forum, Fintech Talks, among others) and there's a good chance you meet very interesting people there! On the other side, attending to live events (like After Dark, Febraban Tech and Money 20/20) is a great opportunity to supercharge your network, showcase your business, share experiences and close deals!

By actively participating in fintech communities and events, you can expand your professional network, stay abreast of industry advancements, and position yourself as a knowledgeable and influential player in the dynamic world of Financial Technology.

In an environment of such transformation, a great way to stay tuned, in addition to strengthening networking, is through communities and events. In Brazil, the community work done by associations such as Abfintechs and ABCripto deserves recognition. Regarding events, both in physical and virtual formats, there are many opportunities available weekly. Highlights include events like Payment View, Fintech View, Febrabantech, Asaas Connect, and Fintouch.

Only a few events specifically dedicated to B2B fintechs and digital innovation in small business banking exist. However, if you are interested in attending such events, it's good to know that some reputable organizations organize them. These include Finnovate, Qorus, SME Banking Club, Money2020, and Global SME Finance Forum. Attending these events could be a great way to stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the field and connect with like-minded professionals.

To stay ahead in the rapidly evolving fintech landscape, it's essential to continuously enhance your fintech skills and tools. Enroll in online courses, certifications, and programs to deepen your knowledge of coding, data analysis, blockchain, AI, cloud computing, and APIs. Experiment with fintech tools and platforms to create innovative solutions and stay competitive in the dynamic world of Financial Technology.

To gain more in-deph perspective and build useful skills in the fintech field there are plenty of good resources available. If you're willing to invest more I recommend courses offered by renowed institutions like Harvard, MIT, Wharton, University of Sao Paulo, Oxford, Cambridge, among others. On the other hand there are a lot of free content on Youtube and more affordable ones on Coursera. Always check the reviews and comments of former students to assess the quality of these alternatives.

The innovations and new technologies brought by the fintech universe also demand the training of the involved players. Therefore, excellent reading suggestions include books such as "A Revolu??o Fintech", "Brasil Fintech", and "A Nova Lógica Financeira". Additionally, there are opportunities in courses offered, for example, by USP/ESALq, FGV, and Propague. Being close to LIFT, FENASBAC, and the Banco Central do Brasil are also good sources of knowledge and information.

The essential requirement for each startup founder and fintech innovator is to know 1) how to build a business model, 2) define value proposition, 3) startup stages, and 4) unit economy. It will help a lot to avoid failure in the future, be very focused on achieving product-market fit, not lose money (or at least - too much) and never give up even if you've tried 10 times before.

Exploring use cases is a great way to gain more clarity around fintech innovation and how it is impacting the society. On Youtube, and also on LinkedIn, you can find videos and articles from some of the trailblazers in this sector, understanding their journey and how their product was built - ultimately comprehending the impact of the solution on people's life.

To understand the fintech universe, it's very interesting to analyze use cases and created opportunities. For example, we can't overlook one of the first and most striking cases: Nubank. The purple card emerged in a scenario where opening bank accounts in Brazil was a bureaucratic and often expensive process. With the initial proposal of offering a credit card independent of traditional banks, with no annual fee, and focusing on customer service, today Nubank is considered one of the main financial institutions in the country. More recently, we have encountered cases of niche fintechs, seeking to meet the needs of specific audiences in a much more personalized way, such as Conta Black, LadyBank, and NG.Cash.

Be part of different communities via Linkedin or in specific groups of interest . Join relevant conferences to build new connections and learn new contents

With platforms like LinkedIn it is possible to connect and engage (in a meaningful way) with some of the top innovators and though leaders in the fintech scene. Interacting on posts and groups is a good way to do so - something that ultimally can lead to in person meeting in events and other social gatherings.

The simplest way to experiment with fintech products and services - download and use neobank apps. Choose the leading ones in your market. To avoid disappointments check its rating in Appstore or Playmarket. It should be at least 4.5 of 5. The great thing about leading neobank fintech offering - it is not only about banking (payments, lending and savings) but also frequently propose wealth management/investments and crypto solutions. Other angle is non-banking offer, particularly lifestyle services (aka travel, shopping, communications etc). If you want to go further - search for niche fintech players addressing particular underserved financial needs (credit building, roboadvising, defi, ethical banking, faith investing etc).

According to Fincatch's survey, Brazil already has over 1,800 solutions across various categories. However, faced with so many options and significant innovations, individuals and companies often have doubts about which fintechs are most suitable for their needs (a bit of the Paradox of Choice). Considering this, researching and seeking reputation about each solution is essential. In this context, Fincatch emerges precisely to be an ally in this process.