News and Insight - Reflections from Money20/20 Europe

Reflections from Money20/20 Europe: Innovation, Inclusion & Insight

Earlier this month, we had the chance to be part of Money20/20 Europe – a standout moment in the global fintech calendar. The week delivered clear insight into where the industry is heading, with practical takeaways, sharp discussion, and plenty of opportunities to connect with the people driving real change. Here’s what stood out:

AI That Works with Us, Not Instead of Us

AI was a central theme throughout the week from scaling it effectively to unlocking its potential across financial services. Conversations centred on agentic AI and the shift toward a digital workforce that empowers rather than replaces human input. The takeaway: AI is no longer a bolt-on, it’s becoming foundational to the future of finance.

Fintech-Bank Relationships Reimagined

One session that really stuck with us looked at how fintechs and banks can build better partnerships. The advice was practical and honest: know your strengths, prioritise compliance early, and approach collaboration with transparency and purpose. Real progress depends on mutual understanding and shared goals.

Flying the Flag for UK Fintech

We joined the Department for Business and Trade’s networking breakfast, where speakers from the FCA and Google highlighted the opportunities for UK fintechs to scale across Europe. It was a timely reminder of the strength and international standing of the UK’s fintech ecosystem.

Reconnecting with the Community

The Barclays reception gave us space to slow down and connect – something you sometimes miss at fast-paced events. It was great to catch up with old friends and meet new ones all working to move the industry forward.

Inclusion on Centre Stage

It was brilliant to see Project Nemo, a partner we’ve previously worked with, leading the conversation on financial inclusion and accessible design.

• On the RiseUp stage, Kris Foster made a powerful case for neurodiversity and inclusive hiring.
• Over on the Horizon Stage, Joanne Dewar joined experts from AlixPartners and CI&T to push accessibility in payments higher on the agenda.

They also launched their latest report, Safe Spending for Adults with Learning Disabilities – A Call to Action for Financial Services, which challenges the sector to better support people with learning disabilities when it comes to financial independence.

Together, they reminded us that the future of finance needs to be built with, and for, everyone.

A Glimpse into What’s Next

Across every corner of Money20/20, one thing was clear: the future of financial services is being shaped by smart tech, human-centred design, and strong partnerships.
From AI-powered risk management to embedded finance that enables real-time, cross-border payments, innovation is touching every part of the customer journey. Open banking and B2B infrastructure are no longer ‘nice-to-haves’- they’re competitive essentials. And most encouragingly, the mood was collaborative. Banks, fintechs, regulators and platforms are all realising the same thing: no one builds the future alone.

Why This Matters to Us at Level39

We came away with a renewed sense of purpose. So much of what was discussed, from AI tools and embedded finance to accessibility and inclusion, is already being tackled by the startups in our community.

Money20/20 Europe was a reminder of why we do what we do. We’re here to support the people building the future, whether they’re just starting out or scaling globally, with space, support and the right connections to grow.