FinTech Australia announces 2026 Finnies Winners
Sydney, June 18: Zepto, Hello Clever and Remitly are among the biggest winners at the 10th annual 2026 FinTech Australia Finnies Awards.
The annual Finnies recognises the leaders, collaboration and innovations in Australia’s fintech industry which is on track to see its economic contribution rise to $37 billion a year in the next decade. Payments solutions leader Zepto took out the covered FinTech Organisation of the Year award, as well as being recognised for its industry leading collaboration with Employment Hero.
Hello Clever was a standout winning three awards with CEO and co-founder Caroline Tran taking out Outstanding Fintech Leader of the Year. Tran won Female Fintech Leader of the Year in the 2025 awards. Remitly Asia Pacific General Manager Kym Whitford won this year's Female Fintech Leader, while Remitly was also recognised for Best Innovation in Payments.
This year saw many repeat winners from previous years with RedOwl winning Emerging Fintech of Year after being recognised for Most Innovative Application of AI in Finance Award in 2025. Primary won Best Innovation in Open Banking / Open Finance, following its win for Emerging Fintech last year.
This year saw strong standouts in the payments and wealth advice sector with Hello Clever, Zepto, Remitly and Otivo picking up multiple awards. A clear leader in innovation, Otivo was awarded for both Most Innovative Fintech Product or Service and Most Innovative Application of AI in Finance. Other accolades were broadly spread across companies in the sector, demonstrating the calibre of competition for this year’s awards.
The Finnies winners were selected out of 321 entries across 22 categories, and faced a strict two-round judging process. Following the reveal of the shortlist, a second round of new judges were brought in to cross-check entries and decide on the winners for each category.
Rehan D’Almeida, CEO of FinTech Australia said: “The Finnies play an important role in showcasing the innovation and achievements of companies and people leading this sector which contributed over $13.6 billion to the economy in 24/25.
“There are almost 900 fintechs in Australia, and while most (61%), are small or medium businesses, they directly employ over 50,200 full time employees making it a significant sector in its own right.
“In 2025 only one in four fintech deals involved female founders according to the Deloitte Impact in Fintech Report, yet women are outperforming with Hello Clever, led by CEO Caroline Tran making a huge impact this year, alongside Kym Whitford at Remitly. We know that boosting diversity in our sector will drive business outcomes, and leaders like these will act as vital role models to inspire more women to enter fintech.
“I’d like to congratulate the winners of the 2026 Finnies. They are highly competitive awards and represent a milestone for these companies in a challenging regulatory and economic environment. These are the 10th annual awards and we’re thrilled to be able to continue to support the broader ecosystem and our members.”
The annual Finnies Awards Ceremony was held in Sydney at ILUMINA bringing together more than 500 founders, investors, and fintech thought leaders for the announcement of winners.
Winners of the 2026 Finnies Winners
FINTECH ORGANISATION OF THE YEAR
Zepto
EMERGING FINTECH ORGANISATION OF THE YEAR
RedOwl
EMERGING FINTECH LEADER OF THE YEAR
Aaron Bassin, Bridgit
FEMALE FINTECH LEADER OF THE YEAR
Kym Whitford, Remitly
OUTSTANDING FINTECH LEADER OF THE YEAR
Caroline Tran, Hello Clever
BEST INNOVATION IN OPEN BANKING, OPEN FINANCE
Primary
BEST WORKPLACE DIVERSITY
Hello Clever
EXCELLENCE IN ESTABLISHING GLOBAL MARKET PRESENCE
Hello Clever
EXCELLENCE IN INDUSTRY COLLABORATIONS & PARTNERSHIPS
Zepto and Employment Hero
EXCELLENCE IN CONSUMER LENDING
Block Earner
EXCELLENCE IN BUSINESS LENDING
Kashcade
BEST INNOVATION IN PAYMENTS (INCLUDING REMITTANCE/FX)
Remitly
EXCELLENCE IN WEB3 (Blockchain and Crypto)
Chainalysis
EXCELLENCE IN INSURTECH
upcover
EXCELLENCE IN REGTECH
Nuj Super
EXCELLENCE IN WEALTH MANAGEMENT (including PFM and Robo)
Curve Securities
POSITIVE IMPACT AWARD
Apate.ai
MOST INNOVATIVE APPLICATION OF AI IN FINANCE
Otivo
MOST INNOVATIVE FINTECH PRODUCT OR SERVICE
Otivo
EXCELLENCE FOR PROVISION OF FINTECH SUPPORT SERVICES
Stone & Chalk
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.
