Time for fintechs to shine – nominations for 2017 Fintech 100 open

Nominations are now open for the 2017 KPMG - H2 Ventures Fintech 100, the annual list designed to recognise leading fintech innovators. Companies or any fintech that deserve to be considered for the 2017 Fintech 100 need to be nominated by Thursday, August 31. The Fintech100 is compiled by fintech investment firm H2 Ventures in collaboration with KPMG's Global Fintech practice.

The annual Fintech 100 includes both the leading 50 established fintechs, and the most intriguing 50 "emerging stars". The process for selecting the 50 top established fintechs involves a universal search for innovative fintech companies as well as nominations.

Companies will be ranked based on total capital raised, rate of capital raising, location and degree of sub-industry disruption and the judging panel's subjective rating of the degree of product, service, customer experience, and business model innovation. The 50 emerging fintech stars will recognise largely undiscovered fintech companies, with the judges looking for the players of the future – companies from all over the world with fresh, new, disruptive ideas and industry solutions. The final list will be curated by a judging panel comprising of KPMG's Global Fintech practice professionals, H2 Ventures and fintech match-making platform, Matchi. The Fintech 100 will be announced during the week of November 13-17 at a KPMG / H2 Ventures event in Singapore, where fintech companies that make the list will be showcased and presented with awards. Ian Pollari, KPMG's global fintech practice co-lead, says, "The Fintech 100 has become more diverse, in terms of geographies and sectors, each year.

"Insurtech saw strong growth in 2016, with new sub-sectors such as regtech, blockchain, and data and analytics also emerging. We're anticipating that the 2017 Fintech 100 will continue this trend."

KPMG's global fintech practice works directly with emerging fintechs through 30 global hubs.

KPMG also brings its global fintech insight to established financial institutions, helping them fully realise the potential fintech has to grow their business, enhance their efficiency, address new customer demands and ultimately, help them to stay relevant and competitive in a fast-changing world. Ben Heap, H2 Ventures, says, "For top-ranked emerging fintechs, the benefits extend beyond the raised profile.

"Funding for the Fintech 100 continues to rise, with the 50 established companies attracting 40% more capital in 2016 than the previous year.

"In total, the Fintech 100 companies raised more than 65% of total global fintech investment in 2016," Heap adds.