Getting selected to demo at Finovate is an exciting milestone. It’s also the point where many companies realize that securing a spot is only the beginning.
Our team has had the honor of attending Finovate and, better yet, presenting. We can tell you with confidence that it’s a wholly unique and valuable experience. We’ve been on stage, managed rehearsals, coordinated media and helped companies turn seven minutes into long-term momentum. Now we’d like to share our top recommendations.
With less than a month until show time, here are lessons that only someone who’s grappled with their nerves backstage would know. We hope this helps you feel better prepared, less nervous, and more likely to take the Finovate Best of Show award.
Watching Hundreds of Demos Doesn’t Make You an Expert. Running One Does.
Lots of people have attended Finovate. Fewer have had to deliver a live demonstration under a countdown clock and the threat of the mic being cut off.
A seven-minute demo sounds manageable. In reality, it forces difficult decisions. What story are you telling? Which features matter most? What should be left out?
The biggest mistake first-time presenters make is trying to show everything.
The best demos don’t attempt to explain every capability. They focus on bringing relevant features to life in a memorable way,leaving the audience wanting to know more.
Rehearsals Matter More Than Most Companies Expect
A successful Finovate demo isn’t something you build once and practice a few times before getting on a plane. Particularly since it must be a live demo — no Figma, screen captures, or slides.
And because it’s one thing to present a demo to a prospect who’ll be understanding of slight tech glitches, but another to have to narrate while running the tech on a stage in front of hundreds. That’s being recorded. What sounded great in a conference room may suddenly feel too complicated when you’re trying to execute it within seven minutes.
The team needs to prepare for what happens when something doesn’t go according to plan. What happens if a screen doesn’t load? What if a presenter misses a cue? What if connectivity becomes an issue or a workflow takes longer than expected?
Those decisions should be made before demo day, not while the clock is running. And repetition uncovers potential stumbling blocks and messaging that slows the flow. Finovate is the one demo where practice really matters.
Take advantage of the 30-minute video call with Greg Palmer, VP of Finovate, coaching to demo do’s and don’ts s well as the demo rehearsal with full audio/visual support.
In the interest of being thorough, we recommend doing something physical to channel your nerves before you go on, such as a few pushups or shaking out your arms. Remember that dry mouth is a common symptom of fear and will pass, but have some water nearby. Take deep, calming breaths. And smile.
The Real ROI Happens Off Stage
The time on stage may be the most visible part of FinovateFall, but it shouldn’t be the entire strategy.
Finovate creates an opportunity to put your company in front of analysts, media, prospective customers, partners and others across the financial services ecosystem. Companies that treat the event solely as a demo are leaving a significant amount of value on the table.
The weeks leading up to the event should include a deliberate strategy for analyst briefings, media interviews, customer and prospect meetings and executive visibility. Use the generously provided list of attendee organizations and titles for lead targeting.
And that strategy shouldn’t end when the demo does. Once you exit the stage, you’ll have an opportunity to continue the conversation at a branded table in the exhibit hall. Lots of folks will be congratulating you on job well done, but even more will be there because you piqued their curiosity. Don’t miss the table, and don’t miss other opportunities that follow.
Stay engaged by following up with the people you met and capitalize on the awareness created by the event.
Several weeks post show, you’ll receive a video of your demo. Use it! Add it to your website with GEO (generative engine optimized) text that celebrates both your being on stage and your amazing product.
The demo creates awareness. The conversations surrounding it are what can create pipeline.
Best of Show Is Rarely an Accident
Every company wants to walk away with a Best of Show award. But memorable demos usually share some common characteristics.
They tell a clear story. The problem is obvious. The solution is easy to understand. The audience isn’t forced to work to figure out why the technology matters.
And, importantly, the execution is polished.
Timing, confidence and simplicity matter.
We’ve helped companies earn multiple Best of Show awards, and one lesson consistently stands out: clarity almost always beats feature overload.
You don’t need the audience to remember everything your platform can do. You need them to remember why they should care.
Seven memorable minutes are far more valuable than the same number of exhaustive ones.
If You Need to Cancel, Act Quickly
Sometimes circumstances change.
Product delays happen. Acquisitions happen. Strategies shift. Leadership changes. A company that expected to demo may suddenly realize participating no longer makes sense.
Waiting to address it usually creates more problems.
If plans change, move quickly. First, revisit your agreement. Once you’ve ironed that out with the very organized organizers of Finovate, you can turn your attention to other arrangements. Media outreach may need to be adjusted. Analyst briefings and meetings may need to be rescheduled. Other opportunities around the event may still make sense even if the demo itself does not.
Canceling a demo doesn’t necessarily mean losing the entire week but preserving that momentum requires a strategy.
Experience Matters Because Finovate Is Different
There are plenty of great marketers, communications professionals and event strategists who understand financial technology.
Finovate is still its own animal.
There’s a difference between knowing what a good demo looks like and knowing what it takes to produce one. There’s a difference between sitting in the audience and managing the rehearsals, last-minute changes, backstage countdown and pressure that come with having a short time to get it right.
That first-hand experience matters. Because when your company earns one of the most visible stages in fintech, the goal shouldn’t simply be to show up.
The goal should be to make those minutes — and everything surrounding them — work as hard as possible for your business.