Fintech North
FinTech North is a Leeds-based non-profit founded in 2016 that operates as the first regional UK FinTech hub, connecting over 10,000 fintech professionals, startups, financial institutions, and public sector bodies across Northern England through events, partnerships, and skills programmes.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersLeeds, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Fintech North does
FinTech North is a non-profit ecosystem facilitator founded in 2016 in Leeds, United Kingdom, operating as the first regional UK FinTech hub. Its stated mission is to facilitate the growth of the Northern England FinTech ecosystem by connecting a community of more than 10,000 fintech professionals, startups, financial institutions, universities, and public sector bodies across four city regions: Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, the Liverpool City Region, and the North East. The organisation's growth strategy is structured around three pillars: delivery of an events programme, support for international trade activity, and enhancement of the FinTech skills supply.
The core product surface comprises an annual events programme (Newcastle, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool conferences, plus the Northern FinTech Summit and the newly launched Lending Summit), the FTN Skills initiative for talent pipeline development, the FTN International programme for inbound and outbound trade missions, and a digital marketplace built in partnership with NayaOne that provides sandbox tooling and dataset access for Northern fintechs. There is no proprietary technology platform of significance beyond the marketplace; the underlying technology is event logistics, community management, and partnership orchestration. Distribution is partner-driven, with over 40 named partner organisations spanning strategic sponsors (Mastercard, Starling Bank, Lenvi, DXC, GFT, Leeds Building Society, RSM UK), skills partners, government partners (North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Leeds City Council, Department for Business and Trade), and a broad long tail of directory-listed firms.
The revenue model combines strategic partnership and sponsorship packages from enterprise financial institutions and technology vendors with event registration income, supplemented by co-hosting arrangements with regional government bodies. FinTech North is privately held with no disclosed funding rounds, no parent company, and no public listing. Management comprises Chairman Chris Sier (former FinTech Envoy for the North), General Manager Joe Roche, and content author Ryan Walsh, suggesting a lean operating team supported by an Advisory Board and partner organisations.
Fintech North firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Fintech North
- Legal name
- FinTech North
- Website
- https://fintechnorth.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- FinTech North is a Leeds-based non-profit founded in 2016 that operates as the first regional UK FinTech hub, connecting over 10,000 fintech professionals, startups, financial institutions, and public sector bodies across Northern England through events, partnerships, and skills programmes.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Fintech North industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Fintech Community & Events
- akta.pro primary industry
- Fintech & Payments Partner / ISO Referral Networks (FSAEAMAK)
Keywords
Where Fintech North is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Leeds
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Fintech North business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Partnership and Sponsorship: Revenue generated through strategic partnerships with organizations like Mastercard, Lenvi, Leeds Building Society, and GFT who sponsor flagship events and activities.
- Event Registration: Revenue from conference and summit ticket sales for major regional fintech events.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Fintech North product offering
Product offeringCore offering
FinTech North operates as a non-profit, event-based fintech community organization that convenes fintech stakeholders across Northern England. It produces industry events and conferences, delivers the FTN Skills educational program, runs the FTN International engagement program, and publishes a community newsletter serving a network of more than 10,000 participants.
Product overview
FinTech North is a regional fintech ecosystem facilitator and event organization, not a traditional software product company. Founded in 2016 as the first regional UK FinTech hub, it operates as a community platform connecting over 10,000 people across the North of England. The organization's offerings consist of: (1) Events Program - annual conferences in Newcastle, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, and the Northern FinTech Summit, plus topic-specific events like The Lending Summit; (2) FTN Skills - initiative enhancing fintech talent supply through events, roundtables, and apprenticeship programs; (3) FTN International - program supporting inbound/outbound international trade and partnerships; (4) NayaOne Marketplace - digital sandbox and marketplace for Northern FinTechs to showcase capabilities and access testing tools; and (5) Your FinTech North Newsletter - regular communications keeping the ecosystem informed.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Industry Events and Conferences Organized fintech industry events and conferences that bring together fintech firms, financial institutions, and ecosystem stakeholders across Northern England for networking, learning, and community engagement.
- FTN Skills An educational program (FTN Skills) designed to develop fintech talent and capabilities across the Northern England fintech community, supporting workforce and capability growth within the regional ecosystem.
- FTN International An international engagement program (FTN International) that connects the Northern England fintech ecosystem with global fintech markets, supporting cross-border visibility, partnerships, and international expansion for participating firms.
- FinTech North Newsletter A regularly published newsletter that disseminates fintech news, event announcements, community updates, and ecosystem intelligence to FinTech North's community of more than 10,000 participants.
Quantifiable outcome
- Nearly 50 fintech companies and 3,900+ employees in North East region
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Fintech North
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Fintech North technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Fintech North partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
54 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core, strategic, minor, support, skills and government.
- DXC TechnologymajorTechnology company partnering on Newcastle Conference 2026. Provides speakers on data, AI and transformation topics. Co-host of conference sessions.
- North East Mayoral Strategic AuthoritymajorRegional governmental authority co-hosting Newcastle Conference 2026 and supporting fintech ecosystem development in the North East.
- Starling BankcoreDigital bank partnered in year-long agreement to boost fintech ecosystem across the North of England, focusing on supporting innovation outside London.
- RSM UKcoreAudit, tax, and consulting firm providing thought leadership through events including Liverpool Conference and Northern FinTech Summit. Partnership renewed for 2026, ongoing since 2018.
- GFTstrategicDigital transformation specialist providing technology expertise. UK Managing Director Carlton Hopper represents GFT. Partnership upgraded to Strategic in 2024.
- LenvistrategicDelivers tailored software solutions and strategic insights to drive innovation, digital transformation, and improved customer experience. Headline sponsor of The Lending Summit 2026.
- MastercardstrategicGlobal technology company in payments industry, serving as strategic partner and brand sponsor of all major flagship conferences. Provides thought leadership and connects the Northern ecosystem to national and international networks.
- Leeds Building SocietystrategicBuilding society committed to putting homeownership within reach. Strategic partner focused on supporting innovation within financial services to benefit members and wider society.
- NayaOnecoreGlobal digital sandbox provider partnered to build dedicated marketplace for Northern Fintechs to showcase capabilities, access datasets, and test ideas.
- rebuildingsociety.comminorP2P lending platform co-hosting crypto compliance webinar covering FCA authorization process and regulatory requirements.
- CMSminorLegal firm partnering on crypto compliance webinar covering UK cryptoasset regulatory requirements and FCA guidance.
- PulsantminorTechnology company hosting 'The Data Sovereignty Paradox' webinar on data control, compliance, and cloud infrastructure for financial institutions.
- S&WminorAccountancy, tax and advisory services firm supporting fast-growing fintechs and founders. Main contact: Gary Fenemore, Director – FinTech.
- Frontier PayminorPayment services provider listed as partner on FinTech North platform.
- White Label CrowdfundingminorCrowdfunding platform partner helping bring people together within fintech sector.
- DTM LegalminorLiverpool and Chester based law firm with expert knowledge in FinTech and Gaming sectors. Partner since 2022.
- CubeMatchminorPartner listed on FinTech North partners directory.
- LINKminorPartner collaborating on financial inclusion initiatives across Yorkshire and the North.
- BPCminorPayments technology partner listed in directory.
- Womble Bond DickinsonminorLaw firm partner supporting North East fintech ecosystem activities.
- SoftwireminorSoftware development consultancy providing expert insight on AI security topics including Claude Mythos preparation for fintechs.
- Leeds Credit UnionminorCredit union partner in Leeds region.
- InfotelminorTechnology consulting partner that hosted executive roundtable on AI and launched Data Readiness for AI service.
- AttendaminorTechnology partner that announced evolution into payment orchestrator in 2026.
- Acquired.comminorPayment technology partner listed in directory.
- OakNorthminorNeobank sponsor of Manchester conference, supporting fintech ecosystem growth.
- Cyber AlchemyminorCybersecurity partner listed in directory.
- Future FinanceminorFinance company partner listed in directory.
- AvivaminorInsurance partner listed in directory.
- Towergate Insurance BrokersminorInsurance partner supporting fintech ecosystem.
- SedulominorBusiness services partner listed in directory.
- BarclaysminorMajor bank partner through Barclays Eagle Labs ecosystem activities.
- Purple TuesdayminorAccessibility-focused partner.
- Whitecap ConsultingminorRegional strategy consultancy producing fintech ecosystem reports for Leeds, Liverpool, and North East regions.
- Invest North East EnglandminorRegional inward investment agency and international partner.
- Innovation SuperNetworkminorInnovation network partner in North East.
- AccessPayminorCorporate-to-bank integration provider that partnered with Sage for reconciliation solutions.
- Bruntwood SciTechminorScience and technology property partner supporting fintech workspace.
- Growth PlatformminorLiverpool City Region growth and investment agency.
- Invest NewcastleminorNewcastle inward investment agency and international partner.
- West Yorkshire Combined AuthorityminorRegional authority and international partner supporting fintech ecosystem development.
- MIDASminorManchester's inward investment agency and international partner.
- Leeds City CouncilminorLocal government partner supporting Leeds fintech ecosystem.
- IntercashminorPayment services partner.
- Squire Patton BoggsminorInternational law firm and international partner supporting Polish fintech delegation events.
- The University of ManchesterminorAcademic institution partner and skills partner.
- Sandpiper ConsultingsupportChange consultancy specializing in financial services transformation including banks, building societies, and fintech.
- Iridium77supportBusiness transformation and cyber security consultancy with 40+ years of experience.
- Leeds Beckett UniversityskillsSkills partner providing fintech talent pipeline.
- TechSkills UKskillsSkills partner for fintech training and development.
- University of BradfordskillsSkills partner providing fintech education and research.
- Luminate Education GroupskillsStrategic skills partner and education group supporting fintech talent development.
- Department for Business and TradegovernmentGovernment department supporting international trade missions including Money20/20 delegation.
- Engine by StarlingcoreSaaS banking platform partnership through GFT as implementation partner. Engine provides cloud-native modular banking platform to banks globally.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Fintech North competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Money20/20: Global fintech conference series running flagship events worldwide. Comparable on the events-driven GTM model that powers FinTech North, but at much larger scale and international scope.
Direct peers
- FinTech Connect: Conference and exhibition operator focused on the UK and European fintech ecosystem. Directly competes for fintech community engagement, sponsorships, and event-driven partnerships.
- Innovate Finance: UK fintech industry body that convenes fintechs, financial institutions, regulators and policymakers. Directly comparable as a sector-level ecosystem and policy facilitator operating in the UK fintech space.
- Open Banking Excellence: Community and events platform focused specifically on open banking and embedded finance. Comparable as a niche fintech community organization with event-led engagement and corporate partnerships.
Regional players
- Manchester Digital: Regional tech industry body for Greater Manchester offering events, skills programs, and member services. Comparable as a region-focused tech community organization but covering broader tech rather than fintech specifically.
- Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance: Academic and ecosystem-focused fintech research and community hub anchored in Cambridge. Comparable as a regional ecosystem facilitator but operating in a different UK geography and with a research-led remit.
Others
- Whitecap Consulting: Regional strategy consultancy producing fintech ecosystem reports for Leeds, Liverpool and North East. Comparable as an established fintech ecosystem research and advisory partner, though commercially rather than convening-led.
Emerging players
- The Fintech Times: Fintech-focused media and community platform covering industry news and events. Comparable as a community-building media presence that monetizes fintech ecosystem engagement, though content rather than conferences is the primary vehicle.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Fintech North social profiles
Digital presenceFintech North financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Fintech North leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Fintech North funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Fintech North M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Fintech North
What does Fintech North do?
FinTech North operates as a non-profit, event-based fintech community organization that convenes fintech stakeholders across Northern England. It produces industry events and conferences, delivers the FTN Skills educational program, runs the FTN International engagement program, and publishes a community newsletter serving a network of more than 10,000 participants.
Is Fintech North a public or private company?
Fintech North is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Fintech North founded?
Fintech North was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Fintech North based?
Fintech North is headquartered in Leeds, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Fintech North make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Partnership and Sponsorship is the primary driver. The others are event Registration.
Who are Fintech North's main competitors?
Money20/20 is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are FinTech Connect, Innovate Finance and Open Banking Excellence. Regional players are Manchester Digital and Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance. Whitecap Consulting is listed as an others. The Fintech Times is listed as an emerging player.
Does Fintech North have an API?
No public API is recorded for Fintech North.
What industry is Fintech North in?
Fintech North's product category is Fintech Community & Events. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAEAMAK, Fintech & Payments Partner / ISO Referral Networks.