Fintech Innovators, a collaboration between fintech investment firm, H2 Ventures and KPMG Fintech, today announced the world’s leading fintech innovators, publishing its Fintech 100 list.

The Fintech 100 includes the leading 50 Established fintech companies across the globe, and the most intriguing 50 ‘Emerging Stars’ – exciting new fintechs with bold, disruptive and potentially game-changing ideas. These companies are using technology to the best advantage, driving disruption within the financial services industry, as well as enabling incumbent financial institutions to capitalize on new technology - to deliver an enhanced customer experience, launch new products and services to generate growth, allow them to better manage risks and to improve their operating efficiency.

The rise of Chinese fintechs is a standout this year, with Shanghai-based ZhongAn taking the top spot in the 50 Established Innovators list, and Qufengi fourth. Last year WeCash was the only representative from China to appear on the list. This year there are seven Chinese companies in the Fintech 100, reflecting increased venture capital levels and interest in China’s fintech sector.

Globally, fintech financing has jumped six-fold over the past three years with over US$20 billion estimated to be reached in 2015, a 66% increase on 2014 (US$12 billion). 

The Fintech 100 includes 40 companies from The Americas (40%), 20 companies from the EMEA 20%), 18 companies from the UK (18%), 22 companies from Asia-Pacific region 22%), including 10 from Australia and NZ.

Toby Heap, H2 Ventures, commented: “In an industry that will soon be irrevocably changed by the disruptive effect of innovation, the companies doing fintech best are those most likely to succeed. Already, some of the world’s major financial centers are equally becoming known as centers for fintech innovation: London and New York, and more recently Sydney.”

“This year’s Fintech 100 highlights the truly global nature of fintech innovation, with startups from 20 countries on the list. Many of these companies have an X-factor that captured attention – exciting new fintechs with bold, disruptive and potentially game-changing ideas.”

Ian Pollari, Global co-lead of KPMG’s Fintech practice added: “The speed and energy with which fintech innovation is impacting financial services is gathering global momentum on many measures. This year’s report underscores the international nature of fintech, with the broad geographic diversity of the fintech companies featured. It is the Fintech 100 companies that are pushing the frontier of new products, services, technology and business models in financial services. Those within the financial services sector who ignore the innovations of the Fintech 100 cohort do so at their peril.”

“The report identifies payments as being the part of the fintech sector most at risk of digital disruption and we also note the rapid emergence of insurance fintech. It is also positive to see the development of the fintech ‘enablers’, which are seeking to provide services and capabilities to financial institutions. This needs to form a core part of how incumbent’s seek to respond to the threats and opportunities that come from disruption,” he said. 

Fintech Innovators was formed by H2 Ventures, in collaboration with KPMG International’s global fintech practice, and publishes information on the world’s most successful, exciting and high impact new companies reshaping the financial services industry using new technologies.

H2 Ventures is one of the emerging thought leaders in fintech venture capital investment around the world. Founded by brothers Ben and Toby Heap, and based in Sydney, Australia, it invests alongside entrepreneurs and other investors in early stage fintech ventures. H2 Ventures is the manager of the H2 Accelerator - Australia's only dedicated fintech accelerator - and operates out of Sydney's dynamic new fintech hub, Stone & Chalk.

KPMG’s Financial Services practice has launched the global fintech practice in order to leverage international investment activity and capability development in fintech across KPMG member firms. Warren Mead and Ian Pollari, partners with KPMG in the UK and KPMG in Australia respectively, have been appointed as global co-leads of the practice, along with a leadership team including partners from countries including the U.S., U.K., Israel, China & Hong Kong, India and Australia.