Project Nemo, in partnership with Fintech Fringe and The Payments Association, has launched an initiative to address financial exclusion for adults with learning disabilities.
The challenge aims to identify FinTech products and services that can enhance the payment experience for adults with learning disabilities, ensuring greater accessibility and independence in financial management. With 1.5 million people in the UK living with learning disabilities, the initiative seeks to tackle significant barriers these individuals face in managing their finances.
The shift to digital payments, a decline in attended payment terminals, and increasingly sophisticated fraud tactics have made financial transactions more difficult for this group. Many individuals wish to participate fully in financial life but often find that existing solutions rely on restrictive measures such as Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), limiting their financial independence.
Fintechs encouraged to participate
Project Nemo is calling on FinTechs with customer-facing or B2B solutions to participate in this transformative challenge. Startups will have the opportunity to pitch their solutions to a judging panel composed of end-users and financial institutions.
Five winners will be selected to present on the Innovation Stage at PAY360 2025, held at London’s Excel on 26 March.
Project Nemo founder Joanne Dewar said, “We’re calling on fintechs to showcase impactful solutions that remove barriers and empower adults with learning disabilities to achieve financial independence. Whether through customer-facing tools or B2B innovations, this is an opportunity to drive meaningful change in an underserved market.”
Since its launch at the Innovate Finance Global Summit in April 2024, Project Nemo has been at the forefront of FinTech accessibility efforts. Through educational films, podcasts, and inclusive events, the initiative aims to ensure financial products and services work for everyone.
Fintech Fringe Innovation Challenge Series founder Calypso Harland said, “We are thrilled to partner with Project Nemo on this Innovation Challenge.
“This is the first challenge in our series, and it highlights exactly why we launched this initiative—to drive tangible impact and foster collaboration between fintechs and financial institutions. By tackling real-world issues, we aim to accelerate innovation that delivers meaningful and lasting change.”
Project Nemo is a grassroots, not-for-profit campaign dedicated to accelerating disability inclusion in FinTech.
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