Search our 2023 list

For the past seven years, we have published our annual Fintech 50 list, which covers the best private companies that are transforming finance through technology. (Here’s last year’s Fintech 50.) From digital banks and payments startups to cryptocurrency companies trying to build a new financial system, these businesses are improving the cost, efficiency and access to financial services.

We’re updating the list for the eighth year, a months-long process involving a team of 10 reporters and editors. We divide the work into fintech sub-categories, talk to industry investors, analysts, entrepreneurs and executives, evaluate hundreds of companies and finally choose 50.

This year we are changing the application process to make it easier. There is only one form for company representatives to complete (see the link at the end of this article). We no longer have a form for the general public to submit nominations, but if you’re not a business representative and you have a tip about an under-the-radar business that we should consider, we’d still love to hear from you. Email [email protected] and explain why you think a company should make the list.

Please read our method below before applying. The more you can share about your company’s growth, including revenue over the past two years, the more likely you will stand out among your peers.

Fintech 50 methodology

We look for companies that have a profound impact on consumers and businesses through innovation. This usually means that they are growing faster than the competition, regularly releasing new products or making major strategic improvements – not just offering services that have looked the same for years.

We do not base the list solely on quantitative calculations or require a minimum revenue amount or number of customers. We also don’t have a cap on company size, but the companies we choose tend to be venture-backed startups, as they are often best equipped to drive industry change. Public companies or their subsidiaries are not eligible for Fintech 50.

Other important criteria we consider for each candidate:

• How much it has grown in sales and/or users over the past year, and how it compares to the growth of competitors.
• Whether it has a live product available to the public, or one that will be available soon.
• The novelty of the product and the business model.
• Whether it has significant operations or headquarters in the United States
• Diversity in the management team.
• We define fintech companies as those that apply technology to the categories of business-to-business banking, insurance, investment, payments, personal finance (budgeting, digital banking, consumer credit and lending, etc.), real estate, Wall Street and enterprise. (includes trading and capital markets) and other business-to-business financial software. We consider blockchain and cryptocurrency companies for this list.

Fintech 50 application form

To apply, complete the Fintech 50 application form by EOD Friday 31/3/23.