On the third day (19 January) of Banking Technology’s tour of Hong Kong, given to the international media by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, we witnessed start-ups pitch for a $10,000 prize (US dollars!) and venture capital experts share a few tips. On Tuesday (17 January), the region told its citizens and the world that start-ups are welcome to do business and capitalise on the nation’s entrepreneurial spirit. While on Wednesday (18 January), a visit to the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) showcased what start-ups could gain by setting up operations there.

A mature stage startup from the Philippines edged out 22 competitors to take home the $10,000 prize. «Ayannah» was deemed the «Best in Show» by the judges at the Fintech Finals 2017 (FF17) pitch competition in Hong Kong. Twenty-three startup finalists had six minutes on stage in front of judges and a live audience of fintech professionals, to get their message across. Ayannah provides affordable and accessible digital financial services for the world’s unbanked.

Singapore-based fintech startup Bambu was the winner of the Best Early Stage Startup Award at Fintech Finals 2017 in Hong Kong last month. Other highlights from the Fintech Finals 2017 included Ayannah winning the overall title, Best in Show, while DarcMatter won for Best Growth Stage and BIMA for Best Mature Stage.

Philippine-based startup Ayannah, a provider of affordable and accessible digital financial services for the world’s unbanked, was named Best in Show by the judges at the Fintech Finals 2017 (FF17) pitch competition at PMQ in Hong Kong on Thursday night. The second annual event, which was held on January 18th-19th, was sponsored by Visa and was part of the StartmeupHK Festival. Besides Ayannah, other finalists of the Fintech Final 2017 include Tapview, MyCash Online, Dataholics, Darc Matter, Bugwolf, PolicyPal, BluePan, Crowd Realty, BugClipper, and Bambu.