Fintech South 2025: Vital4’s Recap
A Cultural and Technological Convergence
Last week, our team joined over 1,000 global fintech leaders at Fintech South 2025, hosted by the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) at the Woodruff Arts Center. This year’s theme, “The Power of Connection: Innovating the Future of Fintech,” truly resonated capturing the collaborative energy driving our industry forward.
TAG and Fintech Atlanta: Showcasing Georgia’s Fintech Leadership
TAG’s Fintech Society continues to champion Georgia’s reputation as a fintech powerhouse. Alongside TAG, Fintech Atlanta played a prominent role in the event, further reinforcing why Georgia has become a hub for fintech innovation.
The conference featured several milestone moments, including:
- Innovation Challenge – Showcasing Georgia-based early-stage fintech startups, with finalists pitching live for a $25,000 non-dilutive cash prize.
- ADVANCE Awards – Honoring standout U.S. fintech companies with deep Georgia ties.
- Fintech Hall of Fame – Celebrating long-term leaders, including Sean Banks of TTV Capital, for their enduring contributions to the ecosystem.
These programs not only highlight innovation but also underscore the strength of Georgia’s fintech community, powered by organizations like TAG and Fintech Atlanta’s leadership collective.
Vital4 on the Main Stage
We were proud to see our own Amy Barbieri, Co-Founder & President of Vital4, take the stage alongside an incredible lineup of industry leaders. Amy emceed the Cybersecurity, Digital Identity & Fraud track, where discussions centered on AI-driven compliance, digital trust, and fraud prevention—continuing the tradition of bringing bold, forward-looking ideas to Fintech South.
Beyond her role at Vital4, Amy also serves as a board member of Fintech Atlanta and Program Director of the Fintech for Good initiative. At the conference, these dual responsibilities shone through—highlighting her leadership in shaping not only the dialogue around compliance innovation but also how fintech can be mobilized for broader social impact.
Key Highlights from the Event
Some of the standout themes and moments from this year’s conference included:
- Collaboration at Scale – Cross-sector partnerships proving essential to transforming financial services.
- Inspiring Speakers – From Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and Raphael Bostic (Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta) to fintech innovators like Amy Barbieri, more than 50 thought leaders sparked impactful discussions.
- Startup Recognition – Innovation Challenge finalists shined on stage, with the top team taking home $25K.
- Awards & Legacy Honors – The ADVANCE Awards and Hall of Fame reinforced Georgia’s place at the heart of the fintech movement.
- Meaningful Connections – TAG’s event app, curated matchmaking, and breakout sessions facilitated authentic conversations and new partnerships.
Our Takeaway
Fintech South isn’t just another conference—it’s a celebration of Georgia’s thriving fintech ecosystem. From bold startup innovation to legacy recognition, the event showcased how community, collaboration, and cutting-edge technology continue to fuel our industry’s future.
For Vital4, the experience was a reminder of why we do what we do. Amy’s role on stage and her leadership within Fintech Atlanta’s Fintech for Good program reflected not only our commitment to AI-powered compliance innovation but also our mission to harness fintech for social impact—especially in the fight against financial crime and human exploitation.
As always, TAG delivered a world-class platform for learning, networking, and driving innovation forward—and we’re already looking forward to what’s ahead.