Earlier this month in Bengaluru, India Fintech Forum (IFF) hosted its first Fintech Founders Mixer, bringing together a curated mix of founders, CXOs, investors, public policy experts, ex-regulators, and banking veterans. The evening was designed for a power packed panel discussion and an open space for candid conversations, where leaders of the ecosystem shared their thoughts on the future of fintech and the role of policy, regulations, innovation, and collaboration.
The evening stood out as it brought together the right set of people in the same room together – the people who want to talk and the people who want to listen making IFF a key and matured platform for fintech in India. The entire event, panel discussion and industry networking focused on one singular thing : what makes India’s fintech journey unique – ambition grounded in regulation, innovation built for scale, and collaboration across stakeholders! These conversations are those that will shape the next fintech decade.
A Panel of Leaders Driving the Conversation
The evening opened with a powerful one-hour panel discussion featuring fintech founders, investors, policy experts, and ex-banking leaders. They explored how regulatory frameworks, policy evolution, and market forces are shaping fintech’s next phase – balancing innovation with responsibility. The dialogue set the tone for the evening, signalling that fintech in India is not just about growth, but about building a sustainable, inclusive, and globally relevant ecosystem. (Key takeaways from the panel discussion will be published as part 2 shortly for industry benefit)
VOICE OF THE INDUSRTY – PART 1
Below is a brief note on some of the interesting thoughts our participants shared at the event that we would like to share with you all for industry benefit.
If Regulator for a day..
When asked what futuristic policies they would introduce as regulators for a day, participants spoke about stronger fraud monitoring, smarter collections, and greater accessibility of data to help firms stay resilient during crises. Others emphasized the role of AI in customer protection and financial advisory, ensuring fintech delivers not just speed, but also trust.
Trends Defining the Next Decade..
Looking ahead, the speakers called out a trend many are underestimating: AI as the defining force of the next 10 years. From reshaping customer behavior to acting as a financial advisor, AI is set to unlock hyper-personalized, customer-centric solutions.
Lessons the World Can Learn from India..
The global community can learn from India’s ability to scale fintech profitably within a strong regulatory framework. Participants highlighted how Indian fintechs combine bold innovation with a Bharat-centric approach, building solutions that serve both advanced and underserved markets – a playbook that few other countries can claim.
Barriers Still Holding Us Back
Despite progress, barriers remain. AI solutions exist today, but long and complex procedures slow down adoption and limit impact. The consensus: India’s fintech story has momentum, but cutting through operational roadblocks is key to unleashing its full potential.
Why IFF Matters : The Fintech Mixer reaffirmed IFF’s role as a bridge between innovators and regulators, doers and enablers, dreamers and decision-makers. By curating spaces where the right people talk and the right people listen, IFF is shaping the fintech decade ahead. To become a member : membership@indiafintechfoundation.com
Key takeaways from the panel highlight will be published here shortly for industry benefit.
Together – let’s build a stronger Fintech India.
Summary contributed by – Sai Sudha; Video credit and edit – Fellah Fajar
