Leveraging Fintech Innovation to Grow and Compete

Blockchain, machine learning, big data, artificial intelligence, and other innovations in fintech are revolutionizing the finance industry—and creating new challenges for both startups and incumbent firms that are competing for market share. To succeed in this environment, startups have to build, fund, and grow an innovative operation that can outperform larger companies, while incumbent firms have to rethink their offerings and digital capabilities to safeguard against disruption. You will explore best practices for managing these issues, consider the latest breakthroughs in fintech, and establish a game plan for your company—whether you're driving or defending against disruption.

Summary: Blockchain, machine learning, big data, artificial intelligence, and other innovations in fintech are revolutionizing the finance industry—and creating new challenges for both startups and incumbent firms that are competing for market share. To succeed in this environment, startups have to build, fund, and grow an innovative operation that can outperform larger companies, while incumbent firms have to rethink their offerings and digital capabilities to safeguard against disruption. You will explore best practices for managing these issues, consider the latest breakthroughs in fintech, and establish a game plan for your company—whether you're driving or defending against disruption.

Key Benefits

This fintech innovation program will enable you to navigate a shifting competitive landscape and make strategic decisions that will position your firm for growth—whether you work in the credit, insurance, asset management, or real estate market. You will develop a deeper understanding of the frictions that fintech aims to address; discover ways to overcome adoption barriers and quickly scale your business; and learn how to manage disruptive threats posed by agile, data-driven competitors. You will also gain a critical lens for distinguishing between innovations that offer sustainable value versus fleeting benefits.

DetailsExpand All Collapse All

Accelerate growth and prepare to scale Accelerate growth and prepare to scale

Formulate an action plan for growing or scaling your company
Secure the funding you need to support your expansion
Improve how you manage operations and mitigate risk

Lead a digital transformation Lead a digital transformation

Direct your company's efforts to "go digital"
Weave new technologies into existing systems and processes
Address disruptive threats with a smart defensive strategy

Leverage emerging opportunities in the marketplace Leverage emerging opportunities in the marketplace

Harness disruptive technologies to strengthen your market position
Recognize the implications of new technologies to transform industries outside of finance
Analyze the market need that fintech startups are trying to fill

Sharpen your competitive edge with a stronger business model Sharpen your competitive edge with a stronger business model

Identify opportunities and methods to innovate from within
Rethink your business strategy, value proposition, and digital capabilities
Integrate new technologies to elevate and modernize your offerings

Expand your personal and professional network Expand your personal and professional network

Extend your network by living and working with accomplished executives from various backgrounds, industries, and countries around the globe
Build relationships with a diverse group of peers who can provide wide-ranging insights into your business challenges and career decisions

Key Benefits

Details

Accelerate growth and prepare to scale

Formulate an action plan for growing or scaling your company
Secure the funding you need to support your expansion
Improve how you manage operations and mitigate risk

Lead a digital transformation

Direct your company's efforts to "go digital"
Weave new technologies into existing systems and processes
Address disruptive threats with a smart defensive strategy

Leverage emerging opportunities in the marketplace

Harness disruptive technologies to strengthen your market position
Recognize the implications of new technologies to transform industries outside of finance
Analyze the market need that fintech startups are trying to fill

Sharpen your competitive edge with a stronger business model

Identify opportunities and methods to innovate from within
Rethink your business strategy, value proposition, and digital capabilities
Integrate new technologies to elevate and modernize your offerings

Expand your personal and professional network

Extend your network by living and working with accomplished executives from various backgrounds, industries, and countries around the globe
Build relationships with a diverse group of peers who can provide wide-ranging insights into your business challenges and career decisions

Who Should Attend

Rising executives who have at least five years' relevant experience at a bank, asset management firm, financial services firm, credit card company, or similar type of financial institution
Entrepreneurs who have launched—or plan to launch—startups that aim to disrupt key areas of financial markets
Individuals who work in areas or industries that are relevant to capital markets and financial services, including: real estate (including property technology innovation and REITs), insurance, technology, computer and data scientists, and engineering

Program for Leadership Development participants earn 3 PLDA Points on completion of this program.

Dive Deeper into the Experience

See how exchange with faculty and peers yields new insights into critical business trends.

Thrive in a learning environment that welcomes diverse ideas and perspectives.

Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.

Who Should Attend: Rising executives who have at least five years' relevant experience at a bank, asset management firm, financial services firm, credit card company, or similar type of financial institution

Entrepreneurs who have launched—or plan to launch—startups that aim to disrupt key areas of financial markets

Individuals who work in areas or industries that are relevant to capital markets and financial services, including: real estate (including property technology innovation and REITs), insurance, technology, computer and data scientists, and engineering

Program for Leadership Development participants earn 3 PLDA Points on completion of this program.

Dive Deeper into the Experience

Inside the Classroom Inside the Classroom

See how exchange with faculty and peers yields new insights into critical business trends.

Watch the Video Watch the Video

We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?

Thrive in a learning environment that welcomes diverse ideas and perspectives.

Watch the Video Watch the Video

Discover more about business. And yourself.Discover more about business. And yourself.

Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.

Watch the Video Watch the Video

Learning and Living at HBS

When you participate in an Executive Education program on the HBS campus, you enter an immersive experience where every aspect of the learning model has been carefully designed to facilitate your growth. Your learning will take place on your own, in your living group, and in the larger classroom, driven by the renowned HBS case method.

Review Our Campus Health & Safety Protocols

Learning and Living at HBS

Review Our Campus Health & Safety Protocols

Admissions Criteria and Process

We admit candidates to specific sessions on a rolling, space-available basis and encourage you to apply as early as possible. Although most programs have no formal educational requirements, admission is a selective process based on your professional achievement and organizational responsibilities.

Answering Your Questions

Our Program Advising team can help you at any stage of the admissions process—starting with identifying the program that best addresses your learning and development goals. Contact a program advisor via email or call 1.800.427.5577 (outside the U.S., call +1.617.495.6555).

Application Submission

We recommend that you apply at least four weeks before the program start date. You may use our online form or download an application. HBS maintains all application information in strict confidentiality. We acknowledge receipt of applications via email. In the unlikely event that you do not receive an acknowledgment, please email us at exed_admissions@hbs.edu or call us at +1.617.495.6226.

Application Review

To optimize the learning experience and maximize the exchange of ideas, our Admissions Committee makes selections that balance each participant's experience, scope of current responsibilities, and type of organization. HBS seeks candidates who reflect a broad range of industries, functions, countries, and backgrounds. We review applications monthly and will contact you via email with the Admissions Committee's decision.

Fee, Payment, and Cancellations

The program fee covers tuition, books, case materials, accommodations, and most meals. No payment is necessary until you have been accepted. Payment is required prior to the program start date. If you need to cancel or defer participation, you must submit your request in writing more than 30 days before the start of the program to receive a full refund. Cancellations or deferrals received 14 to 30 days prior to the start of the program are subject to a fee of one-half of the program fee. Requests received within 14 days are subject to full payment.

Admissions Criteria and Process

Answering Your Questions

Application Submission

Application Review

Fee, Payment, and Cancellations

What You Will Learn

Leveraging Fintech Innovation to Grow and Compete incorporates multiple learning methodologies, including case studies, interactive faculty presentations, guest speakers, and small-group discussions. Drawing on the experience of fintech leaders, investors from venture capital firms, and executives from traditional financial institutions, this program will present a series of real-world cases—including Goldman Sachs, Fluidity, and Zillow—that focus on topical issues at the intersection of financial services and technology. You will explore a broad range of topics that cater to both entrepreneurs from fintech startups and executives from incumbent firms.

What You Will Learn: Leveraging Fintech Innovation to Grow and Compete incorporates multiple learning methodologies, including case studies, interactive faculty presentations, guest speakers, and small-group discussions. Drawing on the experience of fintech leaders, investors from venture capital firms, and executives from traditional financial institutions, this program will present a series of real-world cases—including Goldman Sachs, Fluidity, and Zillow—that focus on topical issues at the intersection of financial services and technology. You will explore a broad range of topics that cater to both entrepreneurs from fintech startups and executives from incumbent firms.

Key TopicsExpand All Collapse All

Disruptive innovation Disruptive innovation

Reviewing how technology is transforming lending markets, investment management, payment systems, and the real estate industry
Implementing strategies to create new opportunities and marketplaces
Identifying the tensions addressed by innovations such as property technology, blockchain, and robo-advisors
Unpacking the challenges that come with designing a new product to meet an emerging need

Competitive strategies Competitive strategies

Designing growth strategies for startups that want to compete with incumbent firms
Discovering how incumbent firms can defend their market share by responding to emerging trends in the market
Targeting consumer channels or business-to-business channels to increase assets under management

Credit and lending Credit and lending

Comparing how new startups and established financial conglomerates approach consumer financing
Understanding credit market dynamics in the context of consumer finance and small-business lending

Payment systems Payment systems

Analyzing the applications of blockchain in different segments and settings, such as financial institutions and API companies
Evaluating the challenges and opportunities posed by cryptofinance and cryptocurrencies

Investment management in fintech space Investment management in fintech space

Analyzing how demographic shifts impact the demand for financial advice
Understanding key differences between pure models and hybrid models of automated asset management
Exploring the potential of fintech to disrupt traditional asset managers from tech and information-driven companies

Key Topics

Disruptive innovation

Reviewing how technology is transforming lending markets, investment management, payment systems, and the real estate industry
Implementing strategies to create new opportunities and marketplaces
Identifying the tensions addressed by innovations such as property technology, blockchain, and robo-advisors
Unpacking the challenges that come with designing a new product to meet an emerging need

Competitive strategies

Designing growth strategies for startups that want to compete with incumbent firms
Discovering how incumbent firms can defend their market share by responding to emerging trends in the market
Targeting consumer channels or business-to-business channels to increase assets under management

Credit and lending

Comparing how new startups and established financial conglomerates approach consumer financing
Understanding credit market dynamics in the context of consumer finance and small-business lending

Payment systems

Analyzing the applications of blockchain in different segments and settings, such as financial institutions and API companies
Evaluating the challenges and opportunities posed by cryptofinance and cryptocurrencies

Investment management in fintech space

Analyzing how demographic shifts impact the demand for financial advice
Understanding key differences between pure models and hybrid models of automated asset management
Exploring the potential of fintech to disrupt traditional asset managers from tech and information-driven companies

The HBS Advantage

Our Executive Education programs are developed and taught by HBS faculty who are widely recognized as skilled educators, groundbreaking researchers, and award-winning authors. Through their board memberships, consulting, and field-based research, they address the complex challenges facing business leaders across the globe

Faculty Chair

Marco Di Maggio

Ogunlesi Family Associate Professor of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Finance

Read Full Bio

Faculty

Karen Mills

Senior Fellow

HBS Units:

General Management

Entrepreneurial Management

Read Full Bio

Das Narayandas

Edsel Bryant Ford Professor of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Marketing

Read Full Bio

Krishna G. Palepu

Ross Graham Walker Professor of Business Administration

HBS Units:

Accounting and Management

General Management

Read Full Bio

The HBS Advantage: Our Executive Education programs are developed and taught by HBS faculty who are widely recognized as skilled educators, groundbreaking researchers, and award-winning authors. Through their board memberships, consulting, and field-based research, they address the complex challenges facing business leaders across the globe

Faculty Chair

Marco Di Maggio

Ogunlesi Family Associate Professor of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Finance

Read Full Bio

Faculty

Karen Mills

Senior Fellow

HBS Units:

General Management

Entrepreneurial Management

Read Full Bio

Das Narayandas

Edsel Bryant Ford Professor of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Marketing

Read Full Bio

Krishna G. Palepu

Ross Graham Walker Professor of Business Administration

HBS Units:

Accounting and Management

General Management

Read Full Bio

Your Peers Expand Your Learning

Global Perspective

Experience the world in your classroom.

Global Perspective

Experience the world in your classroom.

Africa

12%

Asia Pacific

17%

Europe

22%

Latin America

Middle East

36%

North America

8%Africa

12%Asia Pacific

17%Europe

22%Latin America

5%Middle East

36%North America

Experience

Years worked

Experience

Years worked

Less than 10 yearsLess than 10 years

10-14 years10-14 years

15-19 years15-19 years

20-24 years20-24 years

25-29 years25-29 years

30-34 years30-34 years

35-39 years35-39 years

Less than 10 yearsLess than 10 years

10-14 years10-14 years

15-19 years15-19 years

20-24 years20-24 years

25-29 years25-29 years

30-34 years30-34 years

35-39 years35-39 years

Participating Companies Have Included:

Alfa-Bank, ZAO

ANZ Bank

Bank of Indonesia

Benworth Capital Partners

Charles Schwab

CYBG PLC

Fidelity

HSBC Bank

Mastercard Advisors

Nigeria Inter Bank Settlement System Plc

TD Ameritrade

WORK JAPAN

Your Peers Expand Your Learning: Global Perspective

Experience the world in your classroom.

Global Perspective

Experience the world in your classroom.

8%

Africa

12%

Asia Pacific

17%

Europe

22%

Latin America

5%

Middle East

36%

North America

8%Africa

12%Asia Pacific

17%Europe

22%Latin America

5%Middle East

36%North America

Experience

Experience

Years worked

Years worked

Experience

Years worked

Less than 10 yearsLess than 10 years

10-14 years10-14 years

15-19 years15-19 years

20-24 years20-24 years

25-29 years25-29 years

30-34 years30-34 years

35-39 years35-39 years

Less than 10 yearsLess than 10 years

10-14 years10-14 years

15-19 years15-19 years

20-24 years20-24 years

25-29 years25-29 years

30-34 years30-34 years

35-39 years35-39 years

Participating Companies Have Included:

Alfa-Bank, ZAO

ANZ Bank

Bank of Indonesia

Benworth Capital Partners

Charles Schwab

CYBG PLC

Fidelity

HSBC Bank

Mastercard Advisors

Nigeria Inter Bank Settlement System Plc

TD Ameritrade

WORK JAPAN