By Angela Yore, SkyParlour CEO.
Launched by industry insiders in 2011, Money20/20 is where some of the most innovative, fast-moving ideas and Fintechs have found their feet (and funding).
The countdown is on for the European event, which takes place in Amsterdam, 3-5 June 2025, but as one of the most prestigious platforms for the fintech sector, spots on stage are highly coveted.
Despite fierce competition, at SkyParlour we’ve had lots of success securing Money20/20 speaker sessions for our clients. With the submission deadline looming, we thought it was the perfect time to share our top tips to maximise your chances of being selected.
First thing’s first…
You need to decide if you want to present a session, or nominate a speaker to moderate a panel or facilitate a workshop. Submitting for a session allows you to take full control of the topic, format, and message you want to present, giving you the opportunity to drive a conversation and establish thought leadership.
On the other hand, nominating a speaker to moderate or participate in a panel can be an effective way to highlight their expertise and bring diverse perspectives to an issue. If your topic benefits from a variety of viewpoints or is best explored through a discussion format, nominating a speaker for a panel could be the right choice.
Once you’ve chosen the route that best aligns with your message, you can get started on your application. Here’s how to make yours stand out from the crowd…
Apply more than once
Don’t limit yourself to just one submission; applying multiple times can dramatically increase your chances of success. If you have a variety of ideas, don’t hesitate to put them forward. However, ensure each submission offers something fresh and of high quality. It’s vital each submission is unique, provides value, and reflects different aspects of your expertise.
Tailor your submission to the event themes
At Money20/20, the content is centred around key themes that explore the future of finance and technology. These content pillars will guide discussions, presentations, and debates throughout the event, and you should keep them in mind when applying for a spot on stage.
Embedded Intelligence: What Happens When Money Thinks for You?
This pillar explores the intersection of artificial intelligence and financial services. The focus here is on automation, predictive analytics, and the ways embedded intelligence can optimise financial processes.
Digital DNA: Is Identity Your Ultimate Currency?
As digital transformation continues, the concept of identity is rapidly evolving. This pillar dives deep into the significance of identity in the digital age and addresses the role of identity as a foundational element of trust in both financial transactions and broader online ecosystems.
Governance 2.0: How Do We Regulate a Future Not Yet Written?
As the financial landscape changes at a rapid pace, the rules and regulations that govern it must evolve too. This pillar examines the challenges of regulating emerging technologies, such as blockchain, digital currencies, and AI-driven financial services.
Beyond Fintech: What Is the Future of Money?
Fintech is transforming how we understand and use money, but what comes next? This pillar challenges conventional thinking, asking what the future holds beyond the fintech revolution. Topics might include the role of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), the rise of new financial ecosystems, and how emerging technologies like quantum computing could reshape the future of financial systems.
Choose the session format that best conveys your idea
When preparing for Money20/20, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is selecting the right format for your presentation. Here’s a breakdown of the formats for 2025:
Choosing the right format can elevate your session, making it more engaging and impactful. Ensure the format you choose aligns with your message and engages your audience effectively.
Make it clear why anyone should care
Don’t leave the Money20/20 reviewers guessing about the relevance of your topic. Be explicit about why your submission matters in today’s world by highlighting connections to larger industry trends, regulatory shifts, or evolving consumer behaviours. You want the reviewer to immediately grasp how your session will address timely challenges or present valuable solutions.
Victoria Conroy, SkyParlour’s Director of Content Strategy: “It’s important to remember that this not a sales opportunity for your company, it’s a chance to display your knowledge of how merchants can be helped to improve payment acceptance, and what players and trends in the ecosystem they should pay attention to. A successful submission hinges on your unique data points and how well you can build a narrative around them.”
Keep it concise
Think of your session description as a marketing pitch. This is your chance to catch the reviewer’s eye with a concise yet compelling summary. Include a strong hook that draws attention, followed by a brief but insightful overview of what attendees will gain. The key is to be catchy and clearly convey the true value of your session.
Don’t assume everyone’s an expert
Money20/20’s review panel consists of individuals with varying levels of understanding. Avoid using excessive jargon and take the time to clearly explain any concepts that may be unfamiliar. This ensures that your idea is accessible to a wider audience, making it easier for reviewers to appreciate the value you’re offering.
Supporting information is great – when relevant
If you have supporting materials like data, case studies, videos, or testimonials that can strengthen your submission, include them. Real-world examples or statistics add weight to your proposal, but only if the information is relevant and enhances your submission rather than cluttering it.
Don’t underestimate the competition
Thousands of submissions are sent in each year. With so many ideas vying for attention, fresh thinking, clear relevance, and a captivating style are crucial. This means offering innovative insights that stand apart from common themes or well-worn concepts. Whether through an unconventional approach, a novel angle, or simply by presenting your topic in an engaging way, make sure your application grabs attention.
Ian Horne, Head of Content: Europe at Money20/20: “Countless considerations are made when we look at session submissions and speakers. If I can distill it, I’d say we want the right people, talking about the right topics, at the right time. This doesn’t mean you need to follow mainstream opinion, but it does mean you need to justify why the session belongs onstage at Europe’s leading show for banking, payments and fintech.
We’re looking for thought leadership and pragmatism. The most popular sessions usually have both in healthy doses. For thought leadership, spell out why your session will have people talking long after the show. For pragmatism, what’s your Return on Attendance? Why should someone devote half an hour to listening to you when they could be networking and seeking investment or partnerships? If you’re a standout figure in your sector, lean into it. If your profile is smaller, then spell out why our stages need your voice. Finally, you can apply more than once. We love creative applications but understand that they can feel like a risk, so feel free to back up an adventurous idea with more conventional submissions.”
Crafting a winning submission for Money20/20 requires more than a good idea. You need to frame your proposal in a way that is engaging, insightful, and impactful. By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to showcasing your thought leadership on one of the biggest stages in fintech.
Start brainstorming, and good luck with your submissions!
Don’t forget – call for content closes 7 February! Good luck, and I look forward to seeing your innovative ideas at Money20/20!