In 2024, the Mass Fintech Hub made incredible strides in solidifying Massachusetts as a global leader in fintech. A key milestone was the appointment of Julie Thurlow, President & CEO of Reading Cooperative Bank, and Sears Merritt, Head of Enterprise Technology & Experience at MassMutual, as Co-Chairs of the Advisory Board. Their leadership has been instrumental in advancing the Hub’s mission to foster collaboration, innovation, and growth in the fintech ecosystem.
We kicked off the year of programming with the 2024 Fintech Bootcamp hosted at Stonehill College. This exciting event brought together students and fintech professionals for interactive workshops, insightful panel discussions, and invaluable networking opportunities. Participants explored the latest trends, discovered career pathways, and gained actionable strategies to thrive in the fast-paced fintech industry. The bootcamp demonstrated the Hub’s commitment to education and talent development in the fintech space.
The momentum continued with the success of the 2023/2024 Fintech Mentoring cohort, where over 50 mentor-mentee pairs engaged in months of collaboration. Through this program, participants shared knowledge, explored fintech trends, and built meaningful connections that will help shape the future of the industry.
In June, the excitement kept rolling with the Fintech Startup Showcase, where students, entrepreneurs, and innovators came together to share their big ideas. Startups had the chance to pitch their creative solutions to a crowd of investors, industry professionals, and fellow students. The event was an awesome opportunity to network, get inspired, and see firsthand how the fintech community is making waves in the industry.
In the fall, the energy carried into the Fall 2024 Career Fair, held at the picturesque UMASS Boston waterside campus. With a record-breaking number of employers, the event created countless opportunities for students to network with industry leaders. Attendees also participated in career-building workshops, including resume reviews and personal branding sessions. A heartfelt thank-you to the employers, volunteers, and students who made this event a standout success!
Boston Fintech Week 2024 was another major highlight, featuring five engaging in-person events including Digital Asset Ecosystem: Securing Financial Stability through Innovation, Battle of AI Innovators, Making your 1st, 10th, and 100th Angel Investment: Best Practices for Getting Started & Scaling, Mass Fintech Hub Co-Chairs On The Future of Fintech, and Capital & Career - A Day in the Life of an Entrepreneur. Drawing on the expertise of its members, the Hub fostered collaboration, sparked innovation, and inspired the next wave of fintech entrepreneurs and leaders.
To close the year, the Mass Fintech Hub Advisory Board convened at Babson College's Boston Campus for a design thinking session that focused on bold strategies for 2025 and beyond. The session brought together leaders from industry, government, academia, and investment sectors, demonstrating the Hub’s commitment to innovation and excellence.
As we move into 2025, Mass Fintech Hub is more excited than ever to build on this year’s accomplishments. Stay tuned and keep an eye on our upcoming programs, events, and initiatives—there’s much more to come! Follow us on our journey as we continue to shape the future of financial technology in Massachusetts and beyond. |
