August 13, 2025
Finclusiv Edge, a new community-driven non-profit organization, officially launches today to bring Halifax’s unique position as the birthplace of three major Canadian banks into conversation with the future of financial technology. The organization creates space for fintech professionals, entrepreneurs, financial institutions, government stakeholders, educators, and students to explore how financial technology can work better for
everyone.
Halifax as a Catalyst for Fintech Discussion
Halifax holds a distinctive place in Canadian financial history as the founding home of major
banks that shaped the nation’s financial landscape. Finclusiv Edge leverages this heritage to
position Halifax as a catalyst for bold conversations about fintech’s role in strengthening
economies, nurturing talent, and ensuring innovation serves the public good.
“Halifax isn’t just participating in fintech’s future—we’re helping write it,” said Carrie Forbes, Co-founder of Finclusiv Edge. “As the birthplace of major Canadian banks, our city has financial innovation in its DNA. Finclusiv Edge channels that legacy into building an inclusive community where the future of finance gets shaped by diverse voices and perspectives.”
Building Community, Not Just Business
While Atlantic Canada’s fintech sector has seen remarkable growth, Finclusiv Edge addresses a
complementary need: creating inclusive community spaces where diverse voices can connect,
learn, and collaborate on the societal impact of financial technology.
The organization operates on three core principles:
Building Bridges Across Sectors: Creating meaningful connections between fintechs,
traditional financial institutions, community leaders, academics, students, and public sector
changemakers.
Hosting Conversations That Matter: From roundtables on financial inclusion to panel
discussions exploring ethical AI in finance, events go beyond networking to challenge
assumptions about technology’s role in society.
Nurturing an Inclusive Ecosystem: Welcoming newcomers, underrepresented voices, and
students with programming designed for learning and community building.
Programming and Impact
Finclusiv Edge addresses critical needs around community building, diversity and inclusion, and
ensuring technological advancement serves broader societal goals through:
- Educational workshops on financial literacy, ethical innovation, and technology
accessibility - Mentorship programs connecting experienced professionals with emerging talent,
particularly underrepresented groups - Policy roundtables bringing together diverse stakeholders to discuss inclusive financial
services - Community events designed for knowledge sharing across sectors
- Research initiatives on financial inclusion, technology ethics, and community impact
What Community Members Can Expect
Whether you attend an event, join a conversation, or connect through the network, you can
expect to leave with:
- Real connections with founders, fintech professionals, educators, and ecosystem allies
- Fresh perspective on the future of finance, inclusion, and innovation’s role in society
- Opportunities to collaborate across sectors and experience levels
- A sense of belonging in a community that values purpose, inclusion, and shared
growth
“This is about more than business networking,” explained Michele Poole, Co-founder. “We’re
building a community where people don’t need all the answers—just a willingness to explore,
share, and grow together.”
Partnership and Collaboration
As a women-led initiative, Finclusiv Edge works collaboratively with fintech ecosystem builders
and partners to ensure the region’s growth benefits all community members. While partner
organizations excel at helping companies scale globally, Finclusiv Edge focuses on the
community and societal dimensions of fintech development.
Join the Community
Community members interested in being part of Finclusiv Edge can:
- Visit our website at www.finclusivedge.com to learn more and join our mailing list
- Follow us on LinkedIn for updates on programming and opportunities
- Attend our launch event scheduled for October 23, 2025 featuring discussions on
“Halifax’s Banking Heritage Meets Fintech’s Future” - Connect directly to explore collaboration opportunities
About Finclusiv Edge
Finclusiv Edge is a Halifax-based non-profit organization that serves as a vibrant and
interconnected fintech community cultivating cross-sector collaboration, encouraging knowledge
exchange, and enabling partnerships. The organization sparks bold conversations about how
fintech can drive positive change—strengthening economies, nurturing future talent, and
ensuring financial technology works better for everyone, not just a few.
Media Contact:
Attn: Carrie Forbes
Finclusiv Edge
Email: info@finclusivedge.com
Website: www.finclusivedge.com