Recognising the achievements within the Irish fintech industry

Dr Nicola Stokes, chief technologist, International Financial Services, IDA Ireland, receiving the Public Servant of the Year Award from Mai Santamaria, head of the Financial Advisory Unit, Department of Finance. Pictures: Maura Hickey
Post Reporter

Hosted by well-known broadcaster Ivan Yates, the awards were launched last year to celebrate the innovation and success of homegrown Irish fintechs.

The annual awards provide a much-needed platform to highlight the very best in bank technology transformation, public policy, fintech advisory and game-changing financial technology.

The 15 awards categories reflect the breadth and depth of the Irish fintech industry, recognising those who are making a real impact on the future of financial technology and celebrating the individuals who are driving this sector forward. The evening’s pinnacle awards were Fintech Pioneer of the Year, Fintech Company of the Year and the Outstanding Achievement Award.

Derek Foley Butler, executive chairman, Grid Finance and founder, Grid Foundation, presenting the Outstanding Achievement Award to John Byrne, founder and chief executive, Corlytics .
Derek Foley Butler, executive chairman, Grid Finance and founder, Grid Foundation, presenting the Outstanding Achievement Award to John Byrne, founder and chief executive, Corlytics .
Jason Barry, head of digital enablement, ptsb, presenting Kate de Boe Agnew, business manager, and Michael Culligan, director of strategy & head of compliance, NoFrixion, the Best Digital Banking Solution Award.
Jason Barry, head of digital enablement, ptsb, presenting Kate de Boe Agnew, business manager, and Michael Culligan, director of strategy & head of compliance, NoFrixion, the Best Digital Banking Solution Award.
Michael Browne, senior development adviser, financial services, Enterprise Ireland, presenting Joanna Murphy, chief executive, Sprintax, with the Fintech Pioneer of the Year Award.
Michael Browne, senior development adviser, financial services, Enterprise Ireland, presenting Joanna Murphy, chief executive, Sprintax, with the Fintech Pioneer of the Year Award.
Neil McDonnell, chief executive, ISME presenting Marian Grennan, head of administration, and Lisa Moran, contracts manager, CR Payroll, the Regional Fintech Company of the Year Award .
Neil McDonnell, chief executive, ISME presenting Marian Grennan, head of administration, and Lisa Moran, contracts manager, CR Payroll, the Regional Fintech Company of the Year Award .

Speaking at the event, Derek Foley Butler, executive chairman of Grid Finance and Grid Foundation’s founder, noted, “The fintech community in Ireland is thriving, with exceptional talent driving transformative innovation. This year’s awards reflect the dynamic and inclusive nature of the ecosystem, recognising companies and individuals who are truly shaping the future of financial services in Ireland.”

The awards were judged by panel of industry experts including:

• Alison McMurtrie, fintech entrepreneur

• Brid O’Connell, chief executive, Guaranteed Irish

• David Howard, deputy director, Financial Services Ireland (FSI)

• Derek Foley Butler, executive chairman of Grid Finance and founder, Grid Foundation

• Gareth Walsh, experienced fintech executive and board member

• Jason Barry, head of digital enablement, ptsb

• Michael Browne, senior development adviser, financial services, Enterprise Ireland

• Paula Kennedy Garcia, chief executive, Forward Emphasis International

• Sinead Halhed-Moran Walsh, senior legal adviser and branch lead, Electronic Money Association

As well as the 15 nominated awards, the judging panel also awarded a special recognition award to a seasoned leader in the industry worthy of distinct acknowledgement. This year’s Outstanding Achievement Award was presented to John Byrne, founder and chief executive, Corlytics - a global leader in regulatory technology for both regulators and leading regulated firms in the global financial services.

Fiona McHugh, enterprise manager, and Sinead Rookery, senior marketing operations executive, Taxback International, receiving the Fintech Company of the Year Award from Philip Creed, chief executive, FSCom .
Fiona McHugh, enterprise manager, and Sinead Rookery, senior marketing operations executive, Taxback International, receiving the Fintech Company of the Year Award from Philip Creed, chief executive, FSCom .
Aidan Lawlor, Verifi21, presenting Temi Owolabi, junior software engineer, and Jordan McMullen, chief executive, Ctrl Alt, the Best Crypto, Blockchain or Digital Asset Offering Award .
Aidan Lawlor, Verifi21, presenting Temi Owolabi, junior software engineer, and Jordan McMullen, chief executive, Ctrl Alt, the Best Crypto, Blockchain or Digital Asset Offering Award .
Eoin Christian, chief executive, Grid Finance, presenting the Best Payment Solution Award to Kieron Nolan, co-founder and Paul Kavanagh, chief executive, MiFinity.
Eoin Christian, chief executive, Grid Finance, presenting the Best Payment Solution Award to Kieron Nolan, co-founder and Paul Kavanagh, chief executive, MiFinity.
Cian Prendergast, chief executive of Ortus, An Ecko Company, presenting Jac Dunne, chief executive, and Colm McLoughlin, co-founder, Dimply, the Best Wealth Management Solution Award.
Cian Prendergast, chief executive of Ortus, An Ecko Company, presenting Jac Dunne, chief executive, and Colm McLoughlin, co-founder, Dimply, the Best Wealth Management Solution Award.

Under John’s leadership, Corlytics has pioneered the automation and digitisation of regulatory compliance, turning complex legal frameworks into intelligent, actionable data. His relentless pursuit of innovation has not only redefined how financial institutions handle compliance but also brought significant efficiency gains to the sector. By reducing the time required for regulatory implementation from months to real time, Corlytics has helped some of the world’s largest banks, including 14 of the top 50 global institutions, better manage regulatory risk and compliance. A passionate and inspiring leader with a breadth of expertise and experience, John has created a significant and lasting impact on the financial technology sector and is a deserving recipient of the award.

Paula Kennedy Garcia, chief executive, Forward Emphasis International presenting Michael Flanagan, chief executive, Xtract the award for Best Insurance Technology .
Paula Kennedy Garcia, chief executive, Forward Emphasis International presenting Michael Flanagan, chief executive, Xtract the award for Best Insurance Technology .

“At Corlytics, we are committed to simplifying compliance through cutting-edge technology. This award is a recognition of our team’s dedication and the transformative impact of our solutions on the financial sector. We will continue to push boundaries and deliver real-time, AI-driven regulatory solutions that help financial institutions manage compliance risk more effectively,” said John Byrne, chief executive of Corlytics.

Winners announced on the night:

• Best Payment Solution Award: MiFinity

• Best Regtech Solution Award: Geowox

• Best Insurance Technology Award: Xtract

• Emerging Fintech Company of the Year Award: NoFrixion

• Fintech Diversity Champion of the Year Award: Caroline O’Leary

• Best Fintech Lending Solution Award: Teybridge Capital (Europe) Limited

• Regional Fintech Company of the Year Award: CR Payroll Solutions

• Fintech Pioneer of the Year Award: Joanna Murphy, Sprintax

• Best Wealth Management Solution Award: Dimply

• Best Digital Banking Solution Award: NoFrixion

• Public Servant of the Year Award: Dr. Nicola Stokes, IDA

• Best Crypto, Blockchain or Digital Asset Offering Award: Ctrl Alt

• Professional Adviser of the Year Award: FSCom

• Fintech Company of the Year: Taxback International

• Fintech Outstanding Achievement Award: John Byrne, Corlytics

The Awards were organised by iQuest & Business Post and in association with Grid. The event was sponsored by ptsb, Forward Emphasis International, FSCom, Ortus, an Ekco Company, Red Hat Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Verifi21. Partners included ifsc.ie, ISME, Financial Services Ireland-Ibec and Ireland’s Blue Book.

The awards form part of the Fintech portfolio of events including The Fintech Summit which takes place in Croke Park, Dublin on May 14, 2025. See fintechawards.ie

LIVE
Live News