3 highlights from the 2017 Canada Fintech Forum
On October 10 and 11, I attended the 2017 Canada Fintech Forum at the Palais des congrès de Montréal, arguably the largest Fintech-themed conference in Canada. This year’s edition heavily focused on the rise of artificial intelligence and its potential in the financial sector.
The event attracted rougly 1,500 attendees with representation from financial and professional services firms such as Desjardins Group, Societe Generale, Deloitte and KPMG as well as a number of promising Canadian and international startups. Here are 3 highlights from the 2017 edition of “the Forum”.
Michael Denam’s keynote speech on the explosion of AI in Canada
Michael Denham, CEO of the BDC (Business Development Bank of Canada), delivered a great keynote speech on the increased level of AI-related investment in the country. AI attracted $162M in investments via 12 deals in the first half of 2017, the highest amount of funding in the past five years based on a report by PwC Canada and CB Insights. There is much hope such could benefit the financial sector.
.@MichaelDenham , keynote speech: “#Montreal is becoming fintech and #AI hub” #fintechmtl Canada #Fintech Forum by @FinanceMontrealpic.twitter.com/iXazUUi4TJ
— Phil Siarri (@philsiarri)
Jauntin’ pitching their on-demand insurance concept for travel and… drones
As per the tradition, a select group of Canadian startups pitched their ideas during the event. One of these was Jauntin’, an on-demand insurance platform that likes drones!
.@jauntins pitches their #OnDemand insurance #startup (for #drones / travel) at Canada#Fintech Forum — #fintechmtlpic.twitter.com/vSfQEZPV57
— Phil Siarri (@philsiarri)
Insurtech panel
Juergen Weiss, world renowned Insurtech expert, moderated a panel elaborating on the many ways to create insurtech companies: from external investments to intrapreneurship.
Juergen Weiss: “#Insurtech ventures inception/funding comes in many forms, smtimes #startups R created within” #fintechmtl@FinanceMontreal pic.twitter.com/GsQaEXGcVU
— Phil Siarri (@philsiarri)
Overall, the event solidified the growing interest for Fintech in Montreal and Canada.
