Tech Open Mic Night - Panel

An in-person meet-up for founders, builders, and team leads who are actively using technology to build, scale, and innovate – and bringing these ideas to life, not just talking about them. Panel discussion: The Signals Behind Tomorrow’s Consumer: Spending, Risk & What Matters in 2027 What will tomorrow’s consumer look like, and which signals will matter most when assessing them? At our final Tech Open Mic Night of 2026, we’re bringing together leaders from fintech, lending, consumer data, credit risk, and technology to explore how the South African consumer is changing – and what businesses should be preparing for as we head into 2027. From changing spending habits and growing financial pressure to fraud, alternative data, and predictive risk models, our panel will unpack the signals that could shape how businesses understand and assess tomorrow’s consumer. We’ll be discussing: Which spending patterns reveal financial pressure or resilience? What will creditworthiness look like in 2027? Can predictive risk models keep pace with changing consumer behaviour and fraud? Which data and signals will matter most in tomorrow’s risk models? How should businesses be preparing for the consumer of the future? Expect different perspectives, practical insights, real-world data, and an open conversation about what’s changing – and what it means for the businesses building financial products and technology around South African consumers. Joining the panel: Christopher Ball – Co-Founder, Finch Technologies Simon Anderssen – Founder, Slant Mladen Čolić – Head of Fintech, TransUnion Africa Clinton Haley – CTO, Mpowa Finance Agenda for the evening: 17:30 – 18:00 – Arrival, drinks, and eats 18:00 – 18:05 – Welcome and introductions 18:05 – 18:50 – Panel discussion 18:50 – 19:00 – Audience Q&A 19:00 – 19:30 – Closing remarks & networking We’ll also be joined by a few local Cape Town favourites, with Devil’s Peak beer, Two in a Bush Cordial, and Ground Culture keeping everyone fed and hyd