The Influence List 2026: Recognising the Firms Shaping Financial Technology and Financial Services
Following the success of previous editions, The Financial Technologist returns with The Influence List 2026, recognising firms influencing financial technology, quant finance, and the wider financial services ecosystem.
Who The Influence List Is For
The Influence List is open to firms operating across the financial technology and the wider financial services ecosystem.
This includes, but is not limited to, banks, asset managers, hedge funds, payment providers, financial institutions, technology vendors, infrastructure and data platforms, fintech and regtech firms, and technology-led start-ups supporting financial services.
Firms may be global, regional, or specialist in focus. What matters is influence, demonstrated through impact, leadership, innovation, and contribution to the wider financial technology ecosystem.
If you believe a firm is influencing the direction of financial technology or quant finance, nominations are now open.
Meet our
Advisory Panel
The Influence List is informed by an independent advisory panel of senior leaders, operators, and specialists from across financial technology, quant finance, financial services and capital markets.
The panel brings sector expertise, market perspective, and real-world experience to support the editorial research process led by The Financial Technologist. Their insight helps shape how influence is assessed — looking beyond size, funding, or visibility to understand genuine impact, leadership, and long-term contribution.
Advisory panel members represent expertise across banking, payments, capital markets, quant finance, data, infrastructure, regulation, and technology transformation. Final inclusion on The Influence List remains editorially led.
How the Process Works
A step-by-step guide of the process
Step 1: Apply / Nominate
Nominations are open to the financial technology, quant finance, and wider financial services community, including self-nominations.
Submissions help inform the editorial research process led by The Financial Technologist, alongside independent market analysis and advisory insight. A nomination does not guarantee inclusion, but ensures firms influencing the sector are considered as part of the research.
Nominations Deadline: 19th Feb 2026
Step 2: List Is Finalised
Following the nomination period, the editorial team at The Financial Technologist conducts in-depth research across shortlisted firms.
This research is supported by insight from the advisory panel, helping to contextualise influence across financial technology, quant finance, and financial services. Final inclusion is editorially led and based on impact, leadership, innovation, and long-term contribution.
Step 3: List is Released
The Influence List 2026 will be published as part of The Financial Technologist magazine.
Firms included on the list will be contacted ahead of publication. The final list will be shared with leaders and decision-makers across financial technology, quant finance, and the global financial services ecosystem.
List Released: 13th April 2026
Why Firms Take Part
Firms featured on The Influence List are recognised through independent editorial inclusion in The Financial Technologist magazine.
In addition to being featured in the publication, organisations included on the list receive a suite of digital assets, including social media graphics and Influence List badges, which can be used across websites, email signatures, and owned channels as third-party recognition.
Inclusion is also supported through editorial promotion across the Harrington Starr website and distribution via Harrington Starr’s newsletter, reaching a large, relevant audience of senior leaders and decision-makers across financial technology and the wider financial services ecosystem.
For many firms, The Influence List provides lasting social proof, brand recognition, and high-quality content, all delivered through an established, independent industry platform.
Previously Featured Firms
Modulr
Copper
MoneyHub
Starling Bank
Monzo
Zopa
Allica Bank
Zilo
Infact Systems
nCino
Clear Score
Tribe Payments
Demica
Frequently Asked Questions
Can firms nominate themselves?
Yes. Self-nominations are welcome and reviewed alongside peer nominations.
Is there a cost to be included on The Influence List?
No. There is no cost to nominate or to be featured on The Influence List.
Who can be nominated?
Nominations are open to firms operating across financial technology, quant finance, and the wider financial services ecosystem, regardless of size or location.
How is The Influence List selected?
The list is editorially led by The Financial Technologist, informed by public nominations, independent research, and insight from the advisory panel.
What happens if a firm is included?
Firms featured on The Influence List receive editorial inclusion in The Financial Technologist magazine, digital assets for their own channels, and promotion via our website, newsletter, and social channels.
Will firms be contacted if selected?
Yes. Firms included on the list will be contacted ahead of publication. If a firm does not respond, publicly available contact details may be used to notify them.
About The Financial Technologist
The Financial Technologist is a global publication covering financial technology, quant finance, and the people shaping the future of financial services.
Through editorial features, industry analysis, and thought leadership, the magazine explores how technology is transforming banking, payments, capital markets, quantitative trading, data, infrastructure, and cybersecurity. It brings together perspectives from founders, executives, technologists, and decision-makers operating at the forefront of financial innovation.
The Influence List forms part of The Financial Technologist’s broader editorial mission: to inform, challenge, and connect the global financial technology and quant finance community.
