FinTech Australia Announces 2020 Finnies Award Winners
October 28, 2020 -- Airwallex and Athena Home Loans, Brighte and Wisr are among the biggest winners of the virtual Finnie Awards. Airwallex took home a total of four awards including Fintech Organisation of The Year, Excellence in Payments and the new People’s Choice award for Organisation of The Year. The company’s President and co-founder Lucy Liu was also named Emerging FinTech Leader of the Year. Athena Home Loans was awarded the Excellence in Consumer Lending and for the second year in a row the Emerging FinTech Organisation of The Year. Brighte’ Katherine McConnell was named Female Fintech leader of the year. The company also took out the award for Best Workplace Diversity. Wisr CEO Anthony Nantes was named Outstanding FinTech Leader of the Year. Moved to a virtual format due to COVID-19, the Finnies awards celebrate excellence in fintech. This year’s contest saw over 211 outstanding entries across 19 categories. FinTech Australia CEO Rebecca Schot-Guppy said: “Despite the toll COVID-19 has had on our industry, the calibre of entries this year was outstanding.”“I want to congratulate Airwallex, Athena Home Loans, Brighte’s achievement in winning multiple awards this intensely competitive year.”“Most companies took home a single award this year, and I think that speaks to the overall maturity of the fintech industry. We continue to achieve even in times of hardship.Victorian Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy Jaala Pulford said: “We’re so proud to support The Finnies for the third year running. Hosted by Melbourne-based FinTech Australia, the awards recognise and reward the fintech community for the huge role they play in keeping our economy moving.”Media contactHarrison Politesharrison@themediaaccelerator.com.au0409 623 618About FinTech AustraliaFinTech Australia is a national association for the Australian FinTech Startup community. Our vision is to make Australia the leading market for FinTech Innovation and Investment by working with both sides of Government, Industry and the Australian FinTech community to create a supportive environment and partner ecosystem in Australia and abroad.
2020 Finnies Winners
I. People, Culture and Talent
BEST WORKPLACE DIVERSITY – Sponsored by YBFBrighte EMERGING FINTECH LEADER OF THE YEAR – Sponsored by GoCardlessLucy Liu – Airwallex – President & Co-founder FEMALE FINTECH LEADER OF THE YEAR – Sponsored by SeedSpaceKatherine McConnell – Brighte – Founder & CEO OUTSTANDING FINTECH LEADER OF THE YEAR – Sponsored by VocusAnthony Nantes – Wisr – CEO
II. Growth Mindset and Global Perspective
EXCELLENCE IN ESTABLISHING MARKET PRESENCE: GLOBAL – Sponsored by GoogleAfterpay EXCELLENCE IN INDUSTRY COLLABORATIONS & PARTNERSHIPS – Sponsored by GenAdvisoryMeeco
III. Excellence in Business
EXCELLENCE IN BUSINESS LENDING – Sponsored by The StudioProspa EXCELLENCE IN CONSUMER LENDING – Sponsored by BasiqAthena Home Loans EXCELLENCE IN CROWDFUNDING – Sponsored by Tank Stream LabsBIRCHAL EXCELLENCE IN PAYMENTS – Sponsored by Paypa PlaneAirwallex EXCELLENCE IN BLOCKCHAIN/DISTRIBUTED LEDGER AND DIGITAL CURRENCIES/WALLETS/EXCHANGES – Sponsored by CornwallsGeora EXCELLENCE IN INSURTECH – Sponsored by IAGClaim Central Consolidated EXCELLENCE IN REGTECH - Sponsored by Victorian Government, Department of Jobs, Precincts and RegionsFrankie Financial EXCELLENCE IN WEALTH MANAGEMENT (INCLUDING PFM AND ROBO) – Sponsored by UKDITMyprosperity
IV. Excellence in Support Services
EXCELLENCE IN SUPPORT SERVICES – Sponsored by Stone & ChalkKing & Wood Mallesons
V. Organisational Excellence Awards
DEAL OF THE YEAR – Sponsored by BDOJoust and Loan Dolphin BEST PARTNERSHIP OF THE YEAR – Sponsored by FirstmacUp with Ferocia & Bendigo & Adelaide Bank EMERGING FINTECH ORGANISATION OF THE YEAR – Sponsored by AfterpayAthena Home Loans FINTECH ORGANISATION OF THE YEAR – Sponsored by BPAYAirwallex PEOPLE’S CHOICE: EMERGING FINTECH ORGANISATION OF THE YEAR – Sponsored by Tier One PeopleCake Equity PEOPLE’S CHOICE: FINTECH ORGANISATION OF THE YEAR – Sponsored by Tier OnePeopleAirwallex