Who We Are
Fintech Nation is Singapore's independent fintech ecosystem and industry education platform — uniting capital, community and research since 2015.
OUR STORY
Fintech Nation was founded in 2020 by Varun Mittal. This was long before ecosystem builder became a common term in fintech. What started as a grassroots effort to connect Singapore's fintech community has grown into a full institution: an established investment track record, an independent policy voice and one of the most active community networks in the region.
Social impact sits alongside commercial sustainability ligning incentives across founders, investors, regulators and the wider community.
Our work spans three pillars: an established portfolio of ASEAN fintech investments, independent policy research through the Singanomics™ framework, and the ecosystem's most active community through Fintech65, Superhumans of Fintech and our WhatsApp network with active MAS regulator participation.
ECOSYSTEM AND EDUCATION PLATFORM
Fintech Nation operates as an independent ecosystem and industry education platform. We are not affiliated with any corporation, university or government body.
Every publication and community programme is evaluated on both commercial sustainability and ecosystem impact, aligned with UN SDG Goals 8, 9 and 17.
10+
Years in Singapore's fintech ecosystem
500+
Top talents recognised through Fintech65
$1B+
Capital raised by portfolio companies
3000+
Community members across ASEAN markets
WHAT WE STAND FOR
We share our research, frameworks and data freely. Singanomics™, Superhumans of Fintech and our policy perspectives are all publicly available because knowledge compounds when shared.
Our independent structure ensures we are accountable to both our partners and the communities we serve. These are not opposing forces. They are the same force, channelled well.
We think in decades, not funding cycles. Fintech Nation is designed to outlast its founders — a durable institution for ASEAN's financial future.
We build for the full ecosystem — not just the funded, the prominent or the connected. Every community programme, publication and investment reflects this commitment.
Our think tank is unaffiliated with any corporation or university. We call what we see — including the uncomfortable truths about the ecosystems we love.
We don't extract and exit. We are present in the community, co-invest with our portfolio, and stay with our founders through the full arc of their journey.
LEADERSHIP
Founder
Varun founded Fintech Nation in 2020 as a grassroots initiative to connect Singapore's fintech community. He is also the co-founder of the Singapore Fintech Association and the ASEAN Fintech Network. Over a career spanning fintech, payments and digital innovation across Southeast Asia, he has worked with regulators, financial institutions and startups across ASEAN, India, the Middle East and beyond. He holds an MBA from the National University of Singapore and a degree in computer science engineering.
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Think Tank Lead
Tawishi leads the Fintech Nation Think Tank — overseeing thought leadership, policy research, Singanomics™ publications and the annual Fintech65 programme. She brings over 10 years of experience in digital transformation, fintech strategy and ecosystem partnerships, including prior roles at EY as Senior Manager and at Singlife as Vice President of Innovation and Partnerships. She is Vice President at the Singapore Fintech Association and chairs the Women in Fintech subcommittee.
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Investment Lead
Vanessa leads investment origination and portfolio management at Fintech Nation, overseeing the Fintech Nation Fund and co-investment activities across early-stage fintech in Southeast Asia. She brings a background spanning startup ecosystem building, community development and angel investing. She is an active member of the Singapore Fintech Association and a Singapore Fintech Festival Ambassador.
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Marketing & Community Lead
Kai Zen manages Fintech Nation's marketing, community engagement and content operations — including the Fintech65 programme, Superhumans of Fintech events and the broader ecosystem communications calendar. He has been part of the Fintech Nation team since the early editions of Fintech65.
LinkedIn →OUR JOURNEY
2015
Varun Mittal began building Singapore's fintech ecosystem — co-founding the Singapore Fintech Association and the ASEAN Fintech Network, laying the groundwork for what would become Fintech Nation.
2020
Fintech Nation officially launched as an independent ecosystem and industry education platform — starting with the publication of the Fintech Nation book.
2021
Fintech Nation established its investment arm, backing ASEAN fintech founders through the Fintech Nation Fund.
2022
Launch of Singapore's premier annual fintech talent recognition programme, celebrating 65 ecosystem builders across 8 categories.
2023
Launch of the independent think tank and publication of the Singanomics™ framework for public-private fintech development.
2024
First edition of Superhumans of Fintech published — in partnership with Aspire — celebrating Singapore's most impactful ecosystem contributors.
2025
Fintech Nation expanded its community and investment reach across North Asia corridors — deepening partnerships across Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines.
OUR PARTNERS
Fintech Nation works alongside a deep network of fintech institutions in ASEAN — including regulators, banks, VCs and corporates committed to building inclusive digital economies.