The Results of the Finopitch Competition: Grand Prix Winners Announced
The Finopitch competition, a prestigious pitch event organized by Finolab for fintech startups from Japan and beyond, has recently concluded. This year’s competition featured an impressive lineup of 19 national and international fintech service providers. The Grand Prix was awarded to Blade Labs for their “ESG Islamic Financing Platform” in the international category, while Noahlogy emerged victorious in the national category with their “AI-NATIVE PLM for Shipping” solution.
Celebrating Innovation in Fintech
Since its inception in 2012, the Finopitch (originally known as FIBC) has become Japan’s foremost international pitch competition. The event showcases finalists who successfully navigate preliminary screenings, presenting their innovative ideas in a concise seven-minute pitch. Services are then evaluated by both judges’ scores and audience votes, with over 200 fintech startups having participated throughout its history.
Winners of the Finopitch Awards
The winning services of this year’s Finopitch were as follows:
- International Category: Blade Labs – “ESG Islamic Financing Platform” Learn more. This platform received acclaim for highlighting the potential of Islamic finance and introducing innovative technological solutions.
- National Category: Noahlogy Corporation – “AI-NATIVE PLM for Shipping” Learn more. Their approach to optimizing ship supply chains through financial means was recognized as highly effective.
Notable Audience Awards
Additionally, audience awards went to the following innovations:
- International Audience Award: Fly Fairly – “Fly Fairly – Fly Now Pay Later” Learn more.
- National Audience Award: Billpay – “Billpay” Learn more.
Special Recognition Awards
Other notable recognitions included:
- Mitsubishi Prize: International Payments Identity (IPID) PTE LTD – “Validation of the Global Bank Account” Learn more.
- Dentsu Research Institute Award: Tayori – “Tayorie” Learn more.
- Mastercard Award: Insto – “Insto Tap” Learn more.
The Future of Fintech
The Finopitch competition continues to be a cornerstone for fintech innovation in Japan. The judging panel, composed of members from the Finovators, a leading organization in the financial innovation sector, recognized the prevalence of AI-based solutions among this year’s finalists. Startups that effectively addressed specific problems gained significant praise, demonstrating the strong potential and future direction of fintech in Japan.
Join Us for Finopitch 2025
Mark your calendars for the upcoming Finopitch 2025 competition, scheduled for March 6, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. This event will take place at the Kanze Noh Theater in Ginza, part of the “Future Frontier Fes by Finolab” event. Don’t miss your chance to witness the next wave of fintech innovation!
About Finolab
Finolab Corporation, established on July 11, 2019, aims to revolutionize business creation through collaborative spaces and innovative resources. Located in the heart of Tokyo, Finolab strives to establish a vibrant fintech ecosystem by supporting startups with essential tools and guidance. Visit Finolab’s website for more information.