Guest speaker Yuriko Backes, Luxembourg Minister of Finance, started the ball rolling by confessing that, for the past five years, she had been thinking about the LHoFT “every single day” before adding, on a more serious note, that the LHoFT was undoubtedly “the beating heart of the Luxembourg FinTech community”. Yuriko Backes also reminded that her ministry will give the LHoFT its full support in the coming years – especially to attract new talents, foster diversity and a green transition, as well as seize new opportunities in an evolving regulatory landscape.
Next on stage, LFF Deputy CEO Philipp von Restorff – on behalf of Luxembourg for Finance CEO Nicolas Mackel and Secretary General Lynn Robbroeckx (who unfortunately couldn’t attend the event). Philipp reminded that the main purpose of the LHoFT five years ago was to “make available the solutions developed here and abroad to local institutions, and therefore support the financial industry so it could successfully overcome the challenges and seize many opportunities”. Hopefully the LHoFT team will “continue to write this successful FinTech story”.
For its CEO Nasir Zubairi, “people with passion can do incredible things” – undoubtedly the best driving force he could find in Luxembourg. He warmly thanked all the institutions and partners for their backing, with special gratitude to his team: “It’s the support of the community that has made all the difference”.
“Today, we estimate there are more than 250 FinTech firms operating in Luxembourg, employing more than 5,000 people […] and 146 firms have been housed in the LHoFT over the past five years, with over €1 billion in funding”, added Nasir – still amazed by such a success. To stay on top of trends and further support the FinTech ecosystem in Luxembourg, the LHoFT will mainly focus on “education, insights and talent” – with a brand new website to be launched this year.
The evening continued with great testimonials from various FinTech entrepreneurs on the evolution of the LHoFT over the past five years, and a very special magic show from Luxembourgish artist David Goldrake on the LHoFT secret ingredient, passion.
