Volta, Interac, Atlantic Fintech and local Founders explore the power of community and partnership in shaping Atlantic Canada’s Fintech future

In late October, Volta, Atlantic Fintech, and Interac came together to host an intimate dinner in Halifax; a gathering that underscored the power of community and collaboration within the Atlantic Canadian fintech ecosystem. Hosted at The Black Sheep in Halifax, the event brought together a diverse group of innovators, founders, and industry leaders, all with the shared goal of fostering connections and supporting the region's growing fintech sector.

The dinner was part of a larger collaboration between Volta, Atlantic Canada’s largest innovation hub, and Interac, a company that empowers Canadians to transact digitally with confidence by providing payment and value exchange services. As one of Volta’s major corporate partners, Interac is focused on played an active role in helping to connect with and support innovators across the country, including our growing community in Atlantic Canada. This dinner was a tangible representation of that partnership in action—fostering new relationships and solidifying Interac’s commitment to the region.

Highlighting Atlantic Canada’s Fintech Potential

The evening’s discussions were lively and inspiring, reflecting the energy and potential that defines Atlantic Canada’s tech and startup community. A key topic of conversation was the exciting developments within financial services, like open banking, the real-time rails (RTR), and the opportunities it will create for all ecosystem players in the region. These upcoming reforms are expected to modernize critical financial infrastructure, unlocking new avenues for innovation and growth.

Volta’s CEO, Matt Cooper, kicked off the evening by emphasizing how Volta’s programming is evolving to meet the needs of a new generation of founders, noting that building meaningful community connections is central to the success of these efforts. 

“What we saw at this dinner is exactly the kind of environment we strive to create,” said Cooper. “Bringing people together in these more casual, intimate settings is essential to fostering genuine collaboration and ensuring we continue to support and inspire innovation across Atlantic Canada.”

A Model for Meaningful Engagement

The event not only allowed Interac to deepen its connection to the region but also demonstrated the strength of the fintech community in Atlantic Canada. Attendees, including representatives from both local startups and support organizations, were able to share stories of meaningful Atlantic connections that have led to their success and easing of challenges, offering valuable perspectives on the evolving needs of the region's innovators.

By keeping the group small and the atmosphere relaxed, attendees had meaningful discussions, could form stronger connections, and laid the groundwork for future collaborations. As Interac services span across the country, these kinds of personal interactions are invaluable to understand the unique needs of Canadians coast to coast to coast.

“At Interac’s Innovation team, we recognize that local challenges are not confined to their regions. The solutions developed through collaboration in Atlantic Canada have the potential to scale and meet the needs of all Canadians.” – Zamir Rahemtulla, Innovation Alliances, Interac Corp.

Looking Ahead

The event was a strong reminder of the importance of collaboration in driving innovation, not just within companies, but across entire ecosystems. The partnership between Volta, Atlantic Fintech, and Interac is poised to continue delivering value for the fintech community in Atlantic Canada, and gatherings like this one offer a model for how to cultivate genuine, lasting relationships.

With Atlantic Canada’s fintech and innovation community continuing to grow, the potential for future innovation is bright. As both Volta and Interac look ahead to further meetups and programming, this gathering marked the beginning of even more exciting initiatives to come.