Capital access, AI top agenda for fintech at Intersekt 2026
Program highlights for Australia’s most thought provoking fintech festival are now live featuring Xero, Revolut, the RBA and more.
MELBOURNE: Access to capital, AI and a major policy reset will be key themes discussed at FinTech Australia’s Intersekt as it launches the program for its two day conference September 3-4.
The program will dive into these topical industry issues over four themes: Capital access, AI impact, regulation and reform and money movement gets rewired.
“This year is an existential moment for fintech as it is poised to become a $37 billion industry in the next 10 years provided we get the policy settings right today,” FinTech Australia CEO Rehan D’Almeida said.
“This is why we’ve set the stage with industry leaders, policy makers and investors to debate the key policy changes affecting our industry. Day 1 will see robust discussions on payments and banking, alongside insights into the industry wide regulatory reset, while day 2 will interrogate controversial policy areas including access to capital and AI.”
Other highlights will include Xero CEO Sukhinder Singh Cassidy, Australia’s newest bank Revolut CEO Matt Baxby and Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services, the Hon Dr Daniel Mulino MP and RBA Assistant Governor for Financial Systems, Brad Jones, as well as a live session of Capital Brief’s On The Call analysing Day 1.
Diverse investors, debt funders and founders including new international investors entering Australia will take the stage to analyse the new policy challenges facing fintech including Capital Gains Tax, Research and Development and the broader economic climate. Investors will also flip the switch with the reverse pitch session.
The Fintech50 is back with 50 industry pitches within 1 hour, each 30 seconds. Not the usual elevator pitch, these fintechs can pitch for investors, partners and more.
The full program includes:
Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services, the Hon Dr Daniel Mulino MP
RBA Assistant Governor for Financial Systems, Brad Jones
Sukhinder Singh Cassidy, CEO Xero
The Hon Tim Wilson MP, Shadow Treasurer
The Hon Andrew Hastie MP, Shadow Minister for Industry and Sovereign Capability
Matt Baxby, CEO Revolut Bank Australia
Dominic Pym, Co-Founder and Director Triple Bubble
Samantha Horton, COO Syfe (parent of Selfwealth)
Nigel Lee, CEO Tyro Payments
Chris Gillings, Five V Capital
Jodie Imam, Co-CEO Tractor Ventures
Lynn Kraus, CEO, AP+
Anna Nitschke, Assistant Secretary, Consumer Data Branch, Australian Treasury
Jon Adams, Executive Enterprise Payments NAB
Naomi Gaskell, Country Lead (AUNZ), Wallet & Payments Partnership, Google
Hayley Fisher, Managing Director - AU & NZ, Adyen
Kate Camilleri, GM Strategy and Delivery, PEXA
Angus McDonald, Co-Founder and CEO, Cover Genius
Intersekt 2026 is made possible by the support of its gold sponsors Bolt and Cuscal and the continued support of the Victorian Government through the Department of Jobs, Skills and Regions as a Presenting Partner of the event.
“Intersekt brings together the people and organisations driving innovation across Australia's fintech and financial services sectors. As a Gold Sponsor of Intersekt 2026, Cuscal is proud to support the conversations and connections shaping the future of financial services,” Cuscal Chief Client Officer Freya Smith said.
Gold Sponsor and Bolt Group CEO James Woodward will lead a panel on day 1 to discuss the Great Payments Rebalance.
"Bolt Group is proud to return as Gold Sponsor of Intersekt 2026. With major regulatory and policy reforms reshaping the sector, collaboration across the fintech ecosystem has never been more important.
“Payments is undergoing a great rebalancing, moving beyond reducing transaction costs to creating customer value. We look forward to sharing how we are seeing this in action with the addition of Beem to the Bolt Group and how it is unlocking new opportunities for consumers, businesses and industry partners," Bolt CEO James Woodward said.
“The Victorian Government is proud to continue supporting Intersekt because hosting events like this showcase the talent and ambition that make Victoria a leading destination for fintech innovation. As a fintech powerhouse, Victoria looks forward to welcoming innovators, investors and industry leaders to Melbourne for this great event,” a Victorian Government spokesperson said.
Intersekt 2026 will welcome attendees to a new venue, Crown Promenade Melbourne, offering more networking opportunities, larger exhibition spaces, collaborative work areas and an enhanced overall attendee experience. We’ll also bring back some of Intersekt’s most popular events, including the Women in Fintech Breakfast, Fintech Bootcamp and Industry Dinners.
Registration for Intersekt 2026 is now open at https://www.intersektfestival.com.
About FinTech Australia
FinTech Australia is the not-for-profit peak industry body for the Australian fintech sector, representing over 400 fintech companies and startups across the nation. FinTech Australia’s vision is to make Australia the leading market for fintech innovation and investment by working with both sides of government, industry and the Australian fintech community to create a supportive environment and partner ecosystem in Australia and abroad.
