The Community Bulletin

Introducing the Community Bulletin! ??

This is a new weekly format where I will be sharing regular updates from my external activities with the Swiss Finance + Technology Association.

For the past few weeks, I have had the opportunity to speak with some members and supporters of the association to understand their expectations and suggestions with regards to the activities offered.

I found it useful to align the take-aways with the workshopping model developed by Mighty Networks and Gina Bianchini in her book "Purpose":

Workshopping for Community Development

1. Education

Organise thematic events, webinars, and online teachings on topics like: digital transformation and digital disruption, digital assets, payments, open finance and embedded finance, regulatory technology, data & data analytics, AI SaaS development, virtual reality, metaverse and NFT.

Mentoring was also a topic of interest.

• "Shedding light on complex finance things."
• "If SFTA starts online teachings I would like that and also take part."
• "Extremely interested both in the job offers and especially mentoring opportunities."

Help understand market trends better.

• "Interesting to see market trends."
• "Information on what the pulse of the time is, regarding financial technologies."
• "Keep up to date with what is currently happening in the finance sector."

2. Experiences

Have more in-person networking events and connect with other members, startup founders, investors, and advisors.

• "More in-person networking events, particularly around specific interest groups"
• "Interested in networking opportunities in the fintech ecosystem"

3. Collaborations

SFTA to help explore business opportunities among its members, including providing jobs and candidates listings. Some interest in partnership with other associations.

• "How does SFTA help explore business opportunities amongst its members?"
• "Constantly looking for new innovations and startups within the Finance industry."
• "SFTA could provide value by connecting members with corporates / startups that offer solutions."

Facilitate FinTech investor-startup dialogue.

• "Access to investors and advisors would be incredibly valuable."
• "Currently looking to raise capital."
• "How I can help Swiss fintech startups that intend to enter Latin American markets or fundraise in the UK?"

These conversations have provided interesting pointers and a sense of where to focus my efforts in the coming weeks and months to develop the community.

What's coming up?

1. Experiences to join in April

• Thursday 27 April: SFTA meet-up and afterwork in Zug

2. Experiences to join in May

• Monday 8 May and Tuesday 9 May: FinTech summit in Dubai

• Wednesday 10 May: SFTA meet-up and afterwork in Lausanne

3. Experiences to join in June

• Wednesday 7 and Thursday 8 June: The Future of Ukraine summit in Berlin

• Wednesday 7 June: SFTA meet-up and afterwork in Lausanne

• Monday 26 to Wednesday 28 June: The Point Zero Forum in Zurich

About The Community Bulletin

The Community Bulletin is a weekly publication where I share regular updates from my external activities with the Swiss Finance + Technology Association and discuss my experience at helping building a thriving community.

You can consult the previous editions here.

I encourage anyone who has any suggestion or feedback to get in touch ????