It is free to startups (and larger companies) to apply, but then if chosen the companies have to pay a fee to demo on a sliding scale based on how much they have raised in equity funding. Not sure if this how it was done 17 years ago when the conference started, but I am guessing this has been the SOP in recent years. More here on this - https://informaconnect.com/finovatefall/apply-to-demo-fintech-innovation-event/
The minimum cost for demoing was $6K for the chosen, but the allure for this startup expenditure is the attendee makeup. A majority of them (and the people I met) were from banks, CUs and large financial institutions and all the demos I saw were BtoB with a focus on selling to this audience. Not to mention the money spent by attendees for tickets, some I am sure want to learn more about fintechs that were not on their radars and/or key industry trends and best practices.
Long story short, it is benefit to both sides with lots of money in-between.
Do you think all of these startups were paying to get the 7-minute demo or was it free/application and more of a benefit to the paying attendees?
It is free to startups (and larger companies) to apply, but then if chosen the companies have to pay a fee to demo on a sliding scale based on how much they have raised in equity funding. Not sure if this how it was done 17 years ago when the conference started, but I am guessing this has been the SOP in recent years. More here on this - https://informaconnect.com/finovatefall/apply-to-demo-fintech-innovation-event/
The minimum cost for demoing was $6K for the chosen, but the allure for this startup expenditure is the attendee makeup. A majority of them (and the people I met) were from banks, CUs and large financial institutions and all the demos I saw were BtoB with a focus on selling to this audience. Not to mention the money spent by attendees for tickets, some I am sure want to learn more about fintechs that were not on their radars and/or key industry trends and best practices.
Long story short, it is benefit to both sides with lots of money in-between.