The winners of the 2026 Scottish Financial Technology Awards have been announced, with Aveni, the firm designing AI for financial services, securing the prestigious “Fintech of the Year” award on the evening.

Hosted live at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, this year’s awards recognised outstanding companies and individuals working in Scotland’s financial services and fintech ecosystem.

The packed ceremony helped round off the Scotland Fintech Festival with cause for celebration, and gave the ecosystem’s leaders and innovators the chance to recognise their contributions following another eventful year both in and for the sector.

Aleks Tomczyk, CEO of FinTech Scotland said on the night: “Tonight is the official end of the Fintech Scotland Festival. It follows the FinTech Summit – the cornerstone of the FinTech Festival.

“We must celebreate the success of Scotland fintech ecosystem tonight as a community and as a cluster.

“I hope to see the companies honoured and featured in tonight’s awards become even more successful.”

Tomczyk is just nine months into his role – the fresh perspective has provided him the time to re-reflect on how much the Fintech Festival means to Scotland’s fledgling ecosystem.

“What I’ve been most struck by is the depth, talent, and quality of companies and individuals operating in the ecosytem,” he said. “I’m certain by working together we will be able to see success for everyone.”

Ray Bugg, DIGIT founder said: “When we first launched the awards in 2018, we did it because we wanted to celebrate progress and development whithin the commnity we noticed was building on Scotland.

“It was fantastic to bring Scotland’s vibrant financial services and fintech communities together under one roof.

“Since its launch, the Scotland Fintech Festival has showcased the innovation and pioneering spirit of these industries far and wide, highlighting their importance to Scotland’s economy and her people. I expect 2026 will be no different.

“We’d like to offer our congratulations to both the winners and finalists on the evening.”

To find out the full list of winners, read on.

Scottish Financial Technology Awards: The Winners

This year, it was Edinburgh-based Aveni which triumphed over stiff competition to win the coveted prize of Fintech of the Year. 

The fintech’s meshing of innovative AI with top tier regulatory expertise set it apart in this tumultuous landscape of emerging tech and governance needs. Judges were impressed by the fintech’s scale of new progress and growth over the past year.

Agant Finance Limited won the prestigious “Start Up/ New Entrant of the Year” prize.The startup, founded in 2024, impressed the judges with its issuing of compliant stablecoins in an emerging UK market. 

Malted, the Edinburgh-based startup, won the award for best use of data/AI for its bespoke distilled AI development model. 

The firm also won part of the Best Fintech Collaboration award with the Scottish Building Society for its symbiotic collaboration.

Alan Torrance of JP Morgan was honoured as Outstanding Leader, with judges highlighting the shear breadth of his infulence across Scottish FinTech.

Graeme Rennison, of Scottish Enterprise, was posthumously given the special recognition award at the event.

His widow, Tammie Rennison, accepted the award, saying: “Graeme was so dedicated and passionate about fintech, from the start he was so passionate. Normally, he would be here, on the judging panel.  He really championed them all. His big smile would be beaming right now.”

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Winners List 

Best Start Up/ New Entrant 2026 – Agant Finance Limited

Fintech of the Year 2026 – Aveni

Social Impact 2026 – Faciit

Evangelist of the Year 2026 – Aarron Martin, BlackRock 

Outstanding Leader 2026 – Alan Torrance, JP Morgan 

Best Fintech Collaboration 2026 – Malted & Scottish Building Society (SBS)

Best Use of Data/AI 2026 – Malted

Climate & Environmental Impact 2026 – Grand Bequest 

Digital Transformation 2026 – Lloyds Banking Group

Financial Services Innovation Award – JP Jenkins

Financial Technology Partner 2026 – Telefonica Tech & Money and Pensions Service (MaPS)

RegTech Innovation 2026 – Level E Research Limited

Special Recognition – Graeme Rennison