SHIFT Community Update #35
Ignite, Summits and Demo Days!
Hey SHIFT Community, here’s your update on all things SHIFT.
⚡A quick meme to keep you energised on your disruption journeys!
…like walking into Mordor, it takes vision, a strong team, and a willingness to break the rules.
SHIFT Updates
🚀Ignite applications open for 2025! The exclusive incubator programme, lasting 3-6 months, provides capital, tailored support, mentorship and strategic partnership opportunities. SHIFT encourages applications from all types of Fintech innovators ready to turn their concepts into reality. Deadline: 25th April.
💸SHIFT was at MoneyLIVE. On the 10th and 11th of March, SHIFT met with new and familiar faces, participated in the sessions around banking strategy and open payments, and particularly enjoyed meeting with the fintechs at Lloyds’ startup city.
Member Updates
👋 We have an awesome new SHIFT member, so make sure to say hi on Slack:
Boye Ademola, Founder & CEO of Bazara, which offers next-generation banking products designed to help incumbent banks modernize and fintechs/neo-banks scale efficiently, including a core banking platform, channel banking solution and an AI-powered agent banking platform.
🚀Lloyds launch innovation programme: Lloyds has re-opened its 12-week collaborative innovation programme focussed on delivering a faster route to experimentation with potential partners. Applicants have the chance to work with the UK's largest bank, gain insights from senior leaders, and top-tier experts, and enjoy free business masterclasses. Deadline: 4th April 2025.
⛰️Woodhurst Specialist Finance Leaders’ Summit: Woodhurst hosted its first summit in the specialist finance sector on the 6th March in partnership with Finativ and Target. Set against the backdrop of Mahindra Racing HQ, the event brought together an exlcusive gathering of 30+ senior leaders for engaging roundtable discussions across data, innovation and customer succuess, as well as a panel on digital transformation success stories at specialist lenders.
If you have news that you want to be included here then make sure to post it in the #news-and-views channel on Slack or tag Kyle in your posts!
Partner Updates
🎤Open Mic Pitching & Networking. For just £5, your ticket includes any arrival drink, fast-paced 1-minute pitches, and unbeatable networking. On the 18th March, connect with founders, investors, and startup enthusiasts in a high-energy, game-changing atmosphere - just don’t go over time, or you’ll get the water gun treatment!
📢Volunteer at London's Largest Demo Day! Join Rare Founders as a volunteer for London’s Largest Demo Day on April 14th! Gain hands-on experience, connect with founders and investors, and be part of an exciting startup event. Apply by March 28th.
Resource Recommendation
Founders Unfiltered 2025
The report explores the challenges, strategies, and successes of early-stage FinTech startups in the UK. Produced by Sam Shaw Media and Ninety Two Ventures, it draws insights from 14 FinTech founders, including SHIFT members Credit Canary, Baby Ready, Incredible, Haboo Money, Planda and Fuze, to highlight the realities of fundraising, commercial strategy, regulation, and talent.
Key insights reveal that fundraising remains a major hurdle, with mismatches in investor expectations and biases against underrepresented founders. Startups frequently pivot their commercial models to align with market needs, while customer education and trust-building are crucial for growth. Navigating complex regulatory requirements is challenging, and the demand for AI-driven compliance solutions is rising. On the talent front, adaptability outweighs formal qualifications, but retaining top talent remains difficult, making flexible work policies and strong culture essential.
If there are any resources you find enjoyable, useful, or interesting then let me know :)