FinTech Scotland Festival 2026: Innovation fuelling growth

FinTech Scotland has today announced that the ninth FinTech Scotland Festival will take place from 30 September to 7 October 2026, with in-person and online events across the central belt of Scotland.

The Festival will bring together international industry leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, investors, innovators and academics from across the UK and beyond; to discuss how Scottish fintech innovation drives growth, job creation and global competitiveness. It will explore the future of financial services, spotlight the achievements of Scotland’s fintech cluster and spark new partnerships, with a strong emphasis on innovation fueling growth through delivering solutions to real world problems.

This year, the Festival will focus on AI adoption, quantum technology in financial services, financial regulation innovation, digital trust, women in fintech and growing fintechs. Events will connect members of the FinTech Scotland community, building further on the uniquely collaborative ecosystem.

The Festival’s opening day will include an invitation-only reception hosted by Lloyds Banking Group at their Edinburgh Headquarters and the week will conclude with DIGIT’s prestigious Scottish Financial Technology Awards, recognising and celebrating excellence across Scotland’s fintech community.

Organisations are also invited to run their own in‑person, online or hybrid fringe events during the week, that will be promoted alongside the main programme.

Building on the success of last year’s Festival, which attracted attendees from around the world, the FinTech Scotland Festival 2026 is the key event in the Scottish fintech calendar.

Aleks Tomczyk, Chief Executive at FinTech Scotland, said:
“Fintech is delivering real benefits for businesses, the public sector, our economy and society. The Festival is a celebration of the remarkable progress and innovation that is taking place in the fintech sector. The Festival is a recognition of the sector’s intent to do and grow more.”

Derek Shanks, Technology Platform Lead at Lloyds Banking Group, added:
“The FinTech Scotland Festival is a key event in the financial services calendar in Scotland, so we are delighted to be hosting the launch reception, which sets the stage for a week of innovation, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing.”

Kristen Bennie, Group Head of Innovation and Partnerships at Barclays, said, “Scotland is a vital technology and innovation hub for Barclays and we’re proud to support the FinTech Scotland Festival. By bringing together innovators, industry leaders and emerging talent, we’re helping foster the ideas and skills that will shape the future of financial services.”

Ann Devine, Partner at KPMG, said:
“KPMG are delighted to be launching our Women in Fintech group in Scotland at this year’s Festival. It is essential that we support the many great women who are driving progress and innovation in the sector here. I’m looking forward to the engagement and growth that these conversations will spark – now and into the future.”

David Tuck, CEO at Waracle, added:
“The FinTech Scotland Festival programme strikes a great balance between specialist sessions and broader discussions, making it an ideal platform for knowledge sharing, learning, and networking. As one of Scotland’s fastest-growing consultancies supporting financial services clients and scaling fintechs, we are delighted to contribute and be an active part of the community.”

Pardeep Cassells, Chief Client Officer at AccessFintech, concluded:
“Scotland is a great place to be a growing fintech with many compelling reasons to start, locate and grow a business here. We are really looking forward to the Festival events and networking with the people that comprise the depth of talent and make the community what it is.”

Find out more about the FinTech Scotland Festival 2026, propose a fringe event and sign up here.