SF Fintech Connect Brings Together the People Shaping What’s Next in Fintech

Last week, Highnote welcomed founders, operators, investors, innovators, and fintech leaders from across the ecosystem to our San Francisco headquarters for SF Fintech Connect, an industry happy hour hosted in partnership with TWIF and Fiat Growth.

Held during SF Fintech Week and following Fintech Fest 2.0, the event brought together many of the brightest minds in payments, embedded finance, banking, software, and financial technology for an evening of conversation, connection, and community.

From the moment the doors opened, our headquarters was packed. Fintech leaders filled the space, creating a vibrant atmosphere that reflected the energy and momentum currently shaping the industry. Throughout the evening, attendees exchanged ideas, explored new partnerships, strengthened existing relationships, and sparked conversations that will undoubtedly continue long after the event. In many ways, SF Fintech Connect served as the unofficial closing celebration of an incredible week for the fintech community.

The event featured a brief fireside conversation moderated by Natasha Vernier, former CEO and Co-Founder of Cable and host of the In Control podcast. Natasha was joined by David Galvan, Head of Issuing Sales at Highnote, Joyce Zhang, Head of Commercial Fintech Growth at Visa, and Brody Mulderig, Head of Embedded Finance and Digital Assets Investment Banking at Scotiabank. Together, they explored a timely question: “Who Owns the Payment Experience Now?”

The discussion examined how ownership of the payment experience continues to evolve as financial services become increasingly embedded into software, platforms, and digital experiences. Panelists shared perspectives on the growing influence of fintechs and vertical software platforms, the role of networks and financial institutions, and the opportunities and challenges emerging as AI begins to shape the future of commerce and payments.

While the conversation was insightful, the real story of the evening was the room itself. One of the things that makes fintech unique is the willingness of builders, operators, and innovators to come together, share ideas, and help move the industry forward. Throughout the night, attendees connected over cocktails and chef-prepared bites while discussing new products, emerging technologies, partnership opportunities, and the future of financial services. Everywhere you looked, introductions were being made, ideas were being exchanged, and new opportunities were taking shape.

The photos below capture just a small glimpse of the energy from the evening, but they tell an important story: fintech continues to be driven by people. Behind every platform, payment, partnership, and product launch are individuals working to build better financial experiences for businesses and consumers alike.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us, as well as our partners and sponsors TWIF, Fiat Growth, Withum, and Escalon for helping make the evening possible. We’d also like to thank The Financial Club for organizing a successful SF Fintech Week and helping bring the broader fintech community together.

Based on the conversations we heard, the connections that were made, and the momentum in the room, we’re already looking forward to the next one.