Celebrating the bold future of finance

16 April 2026
Shakespeare's Globe - Underglobe

Key dates

6 October 2025 - Entries open
6 January 2026 - Entries close
12 January 2026 - Judging begins
30 January 2026 - Judging closes
9 February 2026 - Finalists announced
16 April 2026 - Winners announced at the gala dinner
The Pioneers celebrate digital innovation and creativity in institutional finance, across:
  • Banking
  • Fintech
  • Insurance
  • Investment
  • Payments
The scheme has been built to showcase excellence across the evolving landscape of financial services, recognising individuals, teams, and organisations at the forefront of change.
Designed for financial services pioneers in technology, AI, tokenisation, decentralised infrastructure, blockchain and digital asset innovation, the programme showcases those reshaping capital markets, banking, payments, insurance, and investment.
Whether you're a fintech building smarter tools, a custodian securing the future of finance, or an asset manager adapting portfolios for a new era, these awards honour progress, creativity, and impact.
Entrants gain industry recognition, highlight their contribution to the industry’s transformation, and position themselves as thought leaders in a space where agility and vision are paramount.

Join us to celebrate the builders of digitalised Capital Markets.

Who should enter?

The Pioneers are designed for the bold thinkers and builders transforming financial services through technology, AI, tokenisation, decentralised infrastructure, blockchain, and digital asset innovation.

If you're reshaping capital markets, banking, payments, insurance, or investment, this is your platform to be recognised.

Whether you're a visionary founder, a pioneering team, or a collaborative force driving change, the programme celebrates those pushing boundaries and setting new standards across the financial ecosystem.

Categories

Banking + Payments

Celebrating breakthroughs in how value is exchanged, stored, and secured.

  • Payments Innovation of the Year
    Solutions using AI, blockchain, or embedded tech to revolutionise transactions.
  • Crypto Banking Initiative of the Year
    Projects integrating decentralised finance into traditional banking frameworks.
  • Digital Custodian of the Year
    Leaders in safeguarding tokenised assets and digital securities.
  • Post-Trade Pioneer of the Year
    Innovators streamlining post-trade processes through smart contracts and automation.
  • Stablecoin Innovation of the Year
    Advances in programmable money and decentralised liquidity.

Investment

Recognising those transforming investment through data, automation, and digital assets.

  • Asset Manager of the Year
    Firms using AI, blockchain, or alternative data to enhance performance and transparency.
  • Asset Owner of the Year
    Institutions embracing digital tools to optimise capital allocation and stewardship.
  • Investment Bank of the Year
    Banks pioneering tokenised securities, smart contracts, or decentralised deal-making.
  • Investment Consultancy of the Year
    Advisors guiding clients through the digital transformation of investment strategy.

FinTech

For companies redefining the future of finance through cutting-edge technology.

  • Start-up of the Year
    Early-stage disruptors leveraging AI, blockchain, or tokenisation to challenge legacy systems.
  • Scale-up of the Year
    Growth-stage firms expanding their impact across digital finance and infrastructure.
  • Fintech of the Year
    Established players leading innovation in embedded finance, digital identity, or decentralised platforms.

Insurance + Risk

For those reimagining protection and resilience in a digital-first world.

  • Insurance Innovation of the Year
    Platforms using AI, blockchain, or IoT to personalise and automate coverage.
  • Insurance Team of the Year
    Groups delivering standout results through tech-enabled risk solutions.
  • Cybersecurity Innovation of the Year
    Pioneers defending digital infrastructure and financial data from emerging threats.

Platinum Categories

These are focussed on individuals and teams leading the charge in financial innovation.

Pioneering Team of the Year

Cross-disciplinary teams delivering transformative projects in digital finance or infrastructure.

The Young Pioneer Award

Emerging leaders under 35 driving innovation in fintech, decentralised finance, or digital assets.

Partnership of the Year

Strategic alliances accelerating progress in decentralised systems, embedded finance, or AI-powered solutions.

Editor's Choice Award

Selected by the programme’s editorial board, this award honours a standout individual, team, or organisation whose pioneering work embodies the spirit of innovation and transformation shaping the future of financial services.

Capital Pioneer of the Year

Trailblazers advancing how capital is raised, deployed, or digitised, especially through tokenisation, blockchain, or AI-driven platforms.

Entry costs

Single Entry

£200 +VAT

Unlimited Entries

£600 +VAT

More Information

To discuss sponsorship or ticketing, please contact our commercial team on 020 3143 2245 or 020 3143 2249.

Alternatively, one of our colleagues will be glad to assist you on email:

Joe Dodd // joe.dodd@rhoticmedia.com // 020 3143 2246

Seiya Hill-Cottingham // Seiya.hill.cottingham@rhoticmedia.com // 020 3143 2249

For all other event enquiries, please contact:

Kate Grimes-Hilbrown // kate.hilbrown@rhoticmedia.com // 020 3143 2246

About us

Rhotic Media is a marketing business offering content, events and specialist media titles. We help clients craft content strategies, to develop engaging materials, and to connect with their target audiences.

Commercial

The latest

Money 20/20 USA: Standard Chartered lifts AI governance

Money 2020 USA 0
Standard Chartered has introduced an additional product vetting stage...

Money 20/20 USA – Day 1 Preview

Money 2020 USA 0
The opening day of Money20/20 USA in Las Vegas...

Schroders joins MAS BLOOM initiative

Asset Management 0
Schroders has been named among the institutional participants in...

Subscribe

Capital Pioneer (online) ISSN 2977-585X. © 2025 Rhotic Media Limited. Design by 71 Media Limited.