"We should remember to always look back at ourselves and realize the power of what we can do if we push the ball forward," said Dave Girouard, Upstart's Co-Founder and CEO at Upstart's inaugural event, boosted.
boosted was Upstart's first annual conference to spur discussion around the future of AI and finance. Jeff Keltner, Senior Vice President of Business Development, gave an insider view on what took place at boosted, including the line-up of A-list speakers in the FinTech space.
boosted: An intimate conversation where AI meets finance
Over two hundred industry leaders gathered to participate in groundbreaking discussions regarding the future of lending. Keltner explains the intentional limitations on attendance, highlighting the purpose of the event’s design: to promote energy, enthusiasm and engagement.
With leaders from finance, FinTech, government and consumer advocacy, many A-list speakers helped establish boosted as a top-tier event that promises to cultivate many avenues of growth and change.
Many creditworthy Americans are left out of the credit system
Among the topics discussed by industry leaders, the potential for a more inclusive credit system was one of the most pertinent.
With many creditworthy Americans being left out of the credit system, Girouard discussed actionable goals for driving broader access to credit without increasing risk with AI and machine learning. Though lenders tend to avoid the "non-prime" borrowers due to skepticism and fear, AI can provide more Americans with access to credit, which is key to unlocking the American Dream.
Emerging markets, trends and growing opportunities
Experts touched on the growing application of lending in unlikely markets. For example, in the wake of the pandemic, trends shifted to digital lending markets, requiring a parallel shift in support and resources.
While financial institutions have reopened their doors, the move to digital markets is here to stay. The long-term effects and implications of this transition served as key points for several speakers.
The potential impact of politics and regulatory systems on financial institutions
Speakers did a deep dive into the current political landscape, discussing the potential effects of the upcoming midterms. In addition, attendees voiced concerns regarding the possible impact on financial institutions and the longevity of previous government rulings.
Future applications of cryptocurrency
In addition to transitioning into digital lending across the financial industry, cryptocurrency was also a topic of exciting potential.
Discussions took place about the exciting potential of stablecoins serving as a bridge between the current crypto environment and the achievement of long-standing crypto ambitions. This encouraged debates regarding the goals, capabilities and roadblocks of cryptocurrency.
Inside view from D.C. on emerging technologies
With so much energy and excitement around future technologies in the financial industry, it was necessary to discuss the limitations and regulations that may affect innovation and growth.
Speakers with an inside view from Washington D.C. opened discussed expectations and limitations from the U.S. government, creating avenues for actionable brainstorming and planning with regards to technology development.
boosted: A hub for innovation
Upstart plans to repeat this event for years to come. With many exciting and innovative speakers, topics arose that will inevitably push the financial and lending markets into the future.
As an intimate gathering of the industry’s top leaders, boosted has established itself as a fundamental event for tech, finance and government organizations.
