Month: September 2024

“FINOPITCH 2025” is open for entry! The deadline for applications is January 5th，2025

EVENTS

“FINOPITCH 2025” is open for entry! The deadline for applications is January 5th，2025

We are excited to announce that the 5th Future Frontier Fes by FINOLAB (4F) will be held on Thursday, March 6, 2025.

※ Please check out the past events here.

As part of the event, we will once again be hosting one of the main programs, the pitch contest “FINOPITCH.” FINOPITCH (formerly known as FIBC) has been held since 2012 to showcase the technological innovations and business models of FinTech startups and to expand opportunities for international and domestic collaboration, contributing to the creation of Japan’s financial innovation history.

Since the FIBC era, over 200 startups have participated in FINOPITCH, including prominent domestic and international FinTech companies such as AI inside, ConsenSys, Finatext Holdings, FOLIO, freee, Hottlink, Kyash, Loadstar Capital, Money Forward, Moneytree, Paidy, Revolut, and Zuu.

■ Reference
FINOPITCH 2024　 https://4f-otmcbldg.tokyo/finopitch2024-award-winner/
FIBC＆FINOPITCH 10th Anniversary Movie　https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNwzpY0XUAM&t=4s

ENTRY

FINOPITCH Application Guidelines

◆ Application Process
Application Deadline : Jan. 5th,2025 (Sun)
Finalist Announcement : Feb. 5th,2025 (Wed)
FINOPITCH / Award Ceremony : Mar. 6th,2025 (Thu)

※ Meeting with supporting companies will be scheduled for the finalists from March 5 to 7 in 2025.
※ The event organizer will contact you if an online interview is required.

◆ Eligibility Requirements
・Must be a FinTech startup.
・Must have a product/service available for demonstration.
・Must agree to the contents of the entry form.

Company Establishment/Service Launch
・Japan companies: Established within the past 5 years and service launched within the past 2 years.
・Overseas companies: Established within the past 7 years and service launched within the past 3 years (considering entering the Japanese market).

◆ Pitch Format
Up to 7 minutes presentation and demonstration in English.

◆ Judging Criteria
Impact | Impact on the Financial Industry
Creativity | Innovative Business Model
Growth | Business Growth Potential
Expansion | Global Market Expansion

◆ Awards
Grand Prize / Audience Awards / Supporter Awards

If you have any questions, please contact us at the email address below.
Hello+FINOPITCH＠finolab.co.jp

ENTRY

※ Protection of Personal Information
All the personal information will be protected with our privacy policy

[Summary] The “Light and Shadow” of Quantum Computers in Finance: What Are the Emerging “Post-Quantum Cryptography Standards”?

FINOLAB COLUMN

[Summary] The “Light and Shadow” of Quantum Computers in Finance: What Are the Emerging “Post-Quantum Cryptography Standards”?

（Original article in Japanese was published for FinTech Journal on Sep. 6, 2024）
https://www.sbbit.jp/article/fj/147468

The article discusses the impact of quantum computing on the financial sector, focusing on the development of post-quantum cryptography standards by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the United States. In August 2024, NIST officially recognized three post-quantum cryptographic algorithms as Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS), marking a significant step toward securing future financial transactions from the potential cyber threats posed by quantum computers.


Quantum computers, unlike classical computers, can perform complex calculations much faster, potentially solving encryption methods that protect financial data today. This could lead to vulnerabilities in areas such as transaction security, privacy protection, and fraud detection. However, they also offer opportunities in finance, such as improving investment performance, risk management, predictive accuracy, and fraud detection.


The three newly standardized cryptographic algorithms—CRYSTALS-Kyber, CRYSTALS-Dilithium, and SPHINCS+—are designed to resist quantum-based attacks. The article also discusses the future release of a fourth algorithm, FALCON, in late 2024, and the role of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) in securing communications against eavesdropping.


Financial institutions are urged to transition to these new cryptographic methods to protect against the long-term risks associated with quantum computing, though widespread implementation will take time. Particularly, current timestamps may be compromised in the future if the quantum computer would decode the cryptographic algorithms in the future.

“IBM Quantum System One,” a quantum computer installed in Japan, and the author.