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Categories for the US Fintech Awards

The US FinTech Awards categories are designed to encourage submissions from every kind of fintech, while also offering a wide range of individual and team awards, with a view to enabling the very best of financial technology and innovation to be scrutinised, recognised and rewarded.

Click on each category to see the entry criteria and the questions you’ll need to answer in your submission.

Key dates and deadlines General rules and requirements

Key dates for your diary

All the dates you need for the US FinTech Awards

  • Entries open February 2026
  • Shortlist announcement August 2026
  • Awards ceremony November 2026

Entries for the US FinTech Awards are now closed!

Two images from the US FinTech Awards. In the first comedian Moody McCarthy addresses the busy room from the stage. In the second four winners pose with their award.

It’s time to celebrate your success!

The US FinTech Awards were created to cover the full spectrum of the fintech ecosystem. Entries and nominations are judged by an independent panel of experts.

To enter, follow these simple steps. You’ll produce a submission that our independent panel of judges will find clear, concise and memorable.

How to enter How to win Rules and requirements Contact us Register now to enter

How to enter

  • Register

    To enter the US FinTech Awards, register and pay the $500 registration fee. This will enable you to access the entry form and enter as many categories as you wish.

    Click here to register

  • Pick your categories

    The categories are designed to encourage submissions from every kind of fintech, while also offering a wide range of individual and team awards, with a view to enabling the very best of financial technology and innovation to be scrutinised, recognised and rewarded.

    And you can enter as many as you wish.

    Read the criteria carefully for each and decide which will give you the best opportunity to demonstrate your strengths.

    The criteria are in a Q&A format, so follow this closely to provide the independent judging panel with a clear, easy-to-follow submission and include all of the information requested. Rest assured, the process is entirely confidential.

    Read the categories & criteria

  • Choose the form of your submission

    Make sure every submission is unique for the category that you’re entering.

    We accept written submissions of between 250 and 1,000 words per category (please note: this is in total, not per criterion).

    Written submissions are at their best after several drafts, with input from everyone involved. Remember that your submission needs to stand out from the crowd, so keep it active, free of jargon, and don’t forget to proofread your words before entering.

    Alternatively, you can enter a video submission. You’ll have a maximum of three minutes to demonstrate why you, your team or business should win the particular category. Videos are easy to digest and revisit, and they allow the judges to put a face to an entry.

    Please note, we are no longer accepting video files. To submit a video, you must upload it to a third-party platform such as YouTube or your own website and supply a link (ensure that the video is private or password protected before submitting).

  • Submit via the form

    Submissions can only be accepted via the entry form, which you can access after registering and paying the registration fee.

    Fill out all of the required information. There are mandatory fields for the person providing the submission as well as the subject of the submission.

    If you are putting an organisation forward for an award, mark the fields under the Nominee heading with an ‘N/A’ except for the Company name field and make sure you choose the correct category from the list. Doing so reveals the correct category criteria and fields in which to paste your submission. The form must be filled out and submitted for every category.

    The form removes all formatting, so don’t worry about italics, bolding, underlining or hyperlinking, as these won’t make it through our system. Furthermore, no supporting documents and attachments are allowed, so don’t use the attach buttons for CVs, promo videos, PDFs and Word docs—these won’t make it through our system, either.

    For written submissions, input your 250 to 1,000 words in the provided fields. For video submissions, fill out the form (except the criteria fields) and paste the link to your video into the one of the criteria fields.

    Login to view the entry form

  • Attach your logo

    If you make it to the shortlist, we’ll need a high-resolution version of your logo for the ceremony and marketing campaigns. We accept the .JPEG, .PNG and .PDF formats, but prefer .EPS wherever possible. If you don’t have this, don’t worry.

  • Attach nominee’s photo

    This is for the Talent categories. Colour photos are preferred, wide, horizontal shots work well, and high resolution .JPEG is best.

  • Sit back and wait for news

    That’s it, you’re done! Approximately two weeks following the submission deadline, our judging panel will convene to make their decisions. We’ll then get in touch with every finalist to give them the good news.

How to win

It’s all about being memorable and compelling:

  • Start early. Give yourself plenty of time to carefully evaluate the criteria for the categories you’re entering and provide a well-produced submission before the entry deadline.
  • Check the criteria. Each category has its own criteria, and each submission should be unique.
  • Provide evidence. Include as many results and evidence of success as you can, including testimonials. Judges are there to be swayed, so sway them.
  • Keep it simple. Write or speak clearly and concisely so the judges can quickly understand the points you’re making.
  • Consult with the relevant team. Collaborate on your submission as you do your work, and ensure that your whole team contributes.
  • Be enthusiastic, transparent, and honest. Inspire the judges by sharing your organisation’s ethos and passion for your work without trying to pull the wool over their eyes. Honesty is the best policy.
  • Redraft and revise. Once your submission is ready, start again and interrogate every fact and figure. Are they correct? Question every claim. Is that true? Weigh your language. Is that a helpful term or an empty buzzword?

Three images from the US FinTech Awards 2023. In the first, a winner poses next to the host as he accepts his award on stage. In the second, two gentlemen in tuxedos and bow ties smile together in a darkened room. In the final image, a group of entrants in smart attire smile together as they enter the awards ceremony.General rules and requirements

  • Entrants must be based in the US or provide services in the US.
  • Entrants can enter as many categories as they wish.
  • Entrants are encouraged to limit submissions to two entries per category; further submissions may not be considered.
  • Submissions must be unique and tailored to meet the criteria of each category.
  • Self-nomination is required.
  • Written and video submissions are accepted – both must follow the criteria format.
  • Submissions can be made until 11.59pm on the entry deadline day.
  • Entrants are expected to send at least one representative to attend the in-person ceremony.
  • Entries submitted by companies that have undergone administration, liquidation, or significant restructuring will be subject to review to ensure continuity of operations, leadership, and client commitments.
  • The US FinTech Awards reserves the right to disqualify entries where there are concerns about corporate governance, financial stability, or ethical business practices.
  • The judging panel has the final authority to determine whether an entry meets the spirit and intent of the awards.
  • The US FinTech Awards reserves the right to remove any entries or finalists that do not meet the above criteria or that, in the judges’ discretion, could undermine the integrity of the awards.

Have a question…

For information on the US FinTech Awards, contact Scot Allison scot.allison@barkerbrooks.co.uk

+44 (0)113 521 6093

Product/Service

  • Accounting Tech of the Year
    • Tell us about the product or service you are putting forward: how does its aims, capabilities, marketing and delivery meet customer needs and requirements?
    • What is the potential of your product/service? How can it achieve critical mass?
    • What are its unique selling points and what differentiates it from the competition?
    • Are there any inventive or innovative aspects that have been developed to bring the product or service to market?
    Enter Now
  • Banking Tech of the Year
    • Tell us about the product or service you are putting forward: how does its aims, capabilities, marketing and delivery meet customer needs and requirements?
    • What is the potential of your product/service? How can it achieve critical mass?
    • What are its unique selling points and what differentiates it from the competition?
    • Are there any inventive or innovative aspects that have been developed to bring the product or service to market?
    Enter Now
  • Crypto Award

    Open to all organizations involved in cryptocurrencies, CBDCs and stablecoins.

    • Tell us about the product or service you are putting forward: how does its aims, capabilities, marketing and delivery meet customer needs and requirements? 
    • What is the potential of your product/service? How can it achieve critical mass? 
    • What are its unique selling points and what differentiates it from the competition? 
    • What recognition has the product or service received from third parties? 
    Enter Now
  • Digital Assets Award

    Open to all organizations involved in the creation, distribution or management of digital assets, including tokens, crypto assets, CBDCs, etc.

    • Tell us about the product or service you are putting forward: how does its aims, capabilities, marketing and delivery meet customer needs and requirements? 
    • What is the potential of your product/service? How can it achieve critical mass? 
    • What are its unique selling points and what differentiates it from the competition? 
    • Are there any inventive or innovative aspects that have been developed to bring the product or service to market?
    Enter Now
  • FinTech of the Year
    • Tell us about the product or service you are putting forward: how does its aims, capabilities, marketing and delivery meet customer needs and requirements?
    • What is the potential of your product/service? How can it achieve critical mass?
    • What are its unique selling points and what differentiates it from the competition?
    • Are there any inventive or innovative aspects that have been developed to bring the product or service to market?
    Enter Now
  • InsurTech of the Year
    • Tell us about the product or service you are putting forward: how does its aims, capabilities, marketing and delivery meet customer needs and requirements?
    • What is the potential of your product/service? How can it achieve critical mass?
    • What are its unique selling points and what differentiates it from the competition?
    • Are there any inventive or innovative aspects that have been developed to bring the product or service to market?
    Enter Now
  • Investment Tech of the Year
    • Tell us about the product or service you are putting forward: how does its aims, capabilities, marketing and delivery meet customer needs and requirements?
    • What is the potential of your product/service? How can it achieve critical mass?
    • What are its unique selling points and what differentiates it from the competition?
    • Are there any inventive or innovative aspects that have been developed to bring the product or service to market?
    Enter Now
  • LendTech of the Year
    • Tell us about the product or service you are putting forward: how does its aims, capabilities, marketing and delivery meet customer needs and requirements?
    • What is the potential of your product/service? How can it achieve critical mass?
    • What are its unique selling points and what differentiates it from the competition?
    • Are there any inventive or innovative aspects that have been developed to bring the product or service to market?
    Enter Now
  • PayTech of the Year
    • Tell us about the product or service you are putting forward: how does its aims, capabilities, marketing and delivery meet customer needs and requirements?
    • What is the potential of your product/service? How can it achieve critical mass?
    • What are its unique selling points and what differentiates it from the competition?
    • Are there any inventive or innovative aspects that have been developed to bring the product or service to market?
    Enter Now
  • Personal Finance Tech of the Year
    • Tell us about the product or service you are putting forward: how does its aims, capabilities, marketing and delivery meet customer needs and requirements?
    • What is the potential of your product/service? How can it achieve critical mass?
    • What are its unique selling points and what differentiates it from the competition?
    • Are there any inventive or innovative aspects that have been developed to bring the product or service to market?
    Enter Now
  • RegTech of the Year
    • Tell us about the product or service you are putting forward: how does its aims, capabilities, marketing and delivery meet customer needs and requirements?
    • What is the potential of your product/service? How can it achieve critical mass?
    • What are its unique selling points and what differentiates it from the competition?
    • Are there any inventive or innovative aspects that have been developed to bring the product or service to market?
    Enter Now
  • WealthTech of the Year
    • Tell us about the product or service you are putting forward: how does its aims, capabilities, marketing and delivery meet customer needs and requirements?
    • What is the potential of your product/service? How can it achieve critical mass?
    • What are its unique selling points and what differentiates it from the competition?
    • Are there any inventive or innovative aspects that have been developed to bring the product or service to market?
    Enter Now
  • Web3 Award

    Open to all organizations involved in web3, including but not limited to, blockchain technology, DeFi, NFTs, metaverse and other distributed ledger technologies. 

    • Tell us about the product or service you are putting forward: how does its aims, capabilities, marketing and delivery meet customer needs and requirements? 
    • What is the potential of your product/service? How can it achieve critical mass? 
    • Where does the value of the product or service come from? What are its unique selling points and what differentiates it from the competition? 
    • Are there any inventive or innovative aspects that have been developed to bring the product or service to market? 
    • How does the product or service differentiate itself from web2? 
    Enter Now

Initiative

  • Data Initiative of the Year
    • Tell us about your data initiative: what were your aims and requirements?
    • How has your initiative improved delivery of the service or product being offered?
    • Where and how were there improvements in outcomes for customers/users?
    • Was your initiative conducted ethically, with privacy and data protection at its heart?
    • What recognition has the initiative received from third parties?
    Enter Now

Organization

  • Best Employer Award
    • How has your organization developed professional training and advancement for employees?
    • What initiatives has your organization undertaken or implemented to boost morale and physical and mental health?
    • Has your organization created jobs in your jurisdiction? If so, how many, in what areas and to what end?
    • What outreach does your organization undertake, in order to attract talent and raise awareness about your business?
    • What recognition has your organization received from third parties for its efforts as an employer?
    Enter Now
  • Best ESG Campaign
    • What ambitious ESG targets has the organization set?
    • In what ways are the organization’s senior leadership taking a top-down approach to planning, setting and executing ESG activity?
    • Outline at least one recent campaign that best demonstrates the organization’s dedication of resources, strategic planning and execution and delivery of results in pursuit of its ESG ambitions.
    • What steps is the organization taking to continue achieving progress in the pursuit of its ESG ambitions?
    • What recognition has the organization received from third parties for its ESG campaign?
    Enter Now
  • Disruptor of the Year
    • How has your organization disrupted an area of financial services?
    • To what extent did your organization take market share from legacy competitors?
    • How is your organization moving toward the next stage of its development?
    • How is your organization engaging with the wider fintech sector and supporting its growth and development?
    • What recognition has your organization received from third parties?
    Enter Now
  • FinTech Partner Award
    Open to all organizations that provide services to fintechs, including but not limited to, venture capital, legal and consultancy.
    • How does the organization identify and meet fintech needs effectively and efficiently?
    • In what ways do they add value to clients’ operations?
    • How do they forge and maintain excellent relationships across the industry?
    • Where and how do they go the extra mile for clients?
    Enter Now
  • Startup of the Year

    Startups must be fewer than three years old at the time of entry.

    • What are your organization’s unique selling points and what differentiates it from the competition?
    • What is your organization’s potential and how can its products or services achieve critical mass?
    • How is your organization moving toward the next stage of its development?
    • How is your organization engaging with the wider fintech sector and supporting its growth and development?
    Enter Now
  • Team of the Year
    • Provide an overview of your company/organization and the team being put forward for this award, including member information and roles and responsibilities, experience, and work both in the organization and the fintech sector
    • How has your team demonstrated outstanding teamwork?
    • When and where has collaboration sparked significant success?
    • How are individuals encouraged to bring innovative ideas to the table, and when has this produced practical results?
    • What mentoring and support is in place within the team to bring the best out of every member?
    • How supportive is the team’s leader and what efforts have they made to move the team forward?
    Enter Now

Talent

  • Director of the Year
    • Provide an overview of the director’s (anyone in a senior position, such as but not limited to CEO) experience and work in fintech, including past roles, memberships and third-party organization roles, and chief accomplishments
    • How and why is the director an outstanding leader?
    • Have they significantly contributed to their organization’s growth? How?
    • What is their reputation in the fintech sector and how has it been earned?
    • How do they demonstrate dedication to clients?
    • What do they contribute to staff development and welfare?
    • What is their impact on the wider fintech sector?
    Enter Now
  • Innovator of the Year
    • Provide an overview of the innovator’s experience and work in fintech, including past roles, memberships and third-party organization roles, and chief accomplishments
    • What innovation/invention did the innovator materially contribute to and what was their contribution?
    • What technical expertise and experience did this contribution demand?
    • How did the innovator contribute to the innovation from a business and marketing point of view?
    • What were the real-world results of the innovator’s work?
    • What feedback has the innovator received, internally and externally?
    • How has the innovator contributed to the wider fintech sector?
    Enter Now
  • Rising Star of the Year
    • Provide an overview of the rising star’s experience and work in fintech, including past roles, memberships and third-party organization roles, and chief accomplishments
    • How has the rising star contributed to the development and release of a product or service, or made significant improvements?
    • What has the rising star done internally to benefit the organization and push it forward?
    • How has the rising star contributed to the wider fintech sector?
    Enter Now
  • Young Achiever of the Year

    Maximum age of 30 at the date of the ceremony.

    • How do they stand out from colleagues as someone who has made an impact for clients and firm?
    • What meaningful involvement in significant work have they shown?
    • How have they demonstrated commitment to their employer?
    • What demonstrable energy, initiative, drive, profession, etc have they shown?
    • Are they making a broader contribution to the profession?

     

    Enter Now
USFintechAwards2025_1113_232411-3123_FREEDOMFILM

Are you ready to enter The US FinTech Awards 2026?

These awards were developed to celebrate this incredible community, and the achievements and successes of the US’s best and brightest.

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