Berlin, renowned as Germany’s leading fintech hub, is set to bolster its position on the global stage with the announcement of the inaugural International Fintech Festival (FIBE). Co-organized by the Berlin Finance Initiative (BFI), Handelsblatt, and Messe Berlin, FIBE aims to revolutionize the fintech ecosystem by fostering collaboration between startups, investors, traditional banks, and policymakers. The groundbreaking event, scheduled for April 24 and 25, 2024, at the CityCube in Messe Berlin, aspires to become the premier gathering for industry visionaries shaping the future of the financial sector.
The unveiling of FIBE took place on June 22 during the summer festival of the Berlin Finance Initiative, where influential figures, including Franziska Giffey, Berlin’s Senator for Economics, emphasized the city’s status as a dynamic fintech hotspot. Senator Giffey remarked, “Berlin is the home of forward-looking industries, and today, it stands as the leading fintech hub in both Germany and Europe. With its concentration of global talent, tech companies, startups, and investors, Berlin is the ideal host for the first International Fintech Festival. FIBE’s arrival signifies the continued progress of Messe Berlin in attracting innovative formats. Welcome to the German capital!”
Dirk Hoffmann, CFO of Messe Berlin, expressed his enthusiasm for FIBE’s addition to the event portfolio, stating, “After evaluating existing events and observing the activities in the fintech sector, we identified a demand that FIBE aims to address. Currently, Europe lacks a comparable event, and our goal is to establish FIBE as the flagship gathering for Europe’s fintech ecosystem. Differentiating itself from traditional trade fairs, FIBE will prioritize dialogue-oriented formats and a sophisticated supporting program tailored to its diverse audience.”
Caroline Wahl, co-founder of the Berlin Finance Initiative, emphasized the need for an event that transcends national boundaries, saying, “Berlin has emerged as a leading hub for innovative financial services in Europe. To meet the demands of this dynamic sector, it is crucial to establish an event format that fosters close dialogue among key stakeholders and covers a wide range of topics while also embracing an international outlook. We are thrilled to collaborate with Handelsblatt and Messe Berlin in creating a truly unique event experience that encourages global connections.”
Andrea Wasmuth, Managing Director of the Handelsblatt Media Group, underscored the significance of forward-looking themes and disruptive fintech business models within their event portfolio, stating, “At the Handelsblatt Media Group, we prioritize focusing on emerging trends and forward-thinking topics. With FIBE, we have established a distinctive platform for the fintech ecosystem, uniting startups, investors, banks, and policymakers on an equal footing. This event will build on our commitment to fostering the startup ecosystem, as demonstrated by the recent recognition of Handelsblatt’s Chief Editor, Sebastian Matthes.”
As Berlin prepares to host the inaugural International Fintech Festival, FIBE 2024 promises to elevate the financial industry’s discourse, spark innovative ideas, and shape the future of fintech on a global scale.
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