LenderKit at the 2nd International Conference for Alternative Finance Research in Poland
On 1-2 June 2023, LenderKit joined the 2nd International Conference for Alternative Finance Research, hosted at the University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Economics. The event brought together scholars, policymakers, and industry leaders from across the globe to exchange ideas on the future of crowdfunding, digital fundraising and alternative finance.
What you will learn in this post:
A Platform for Research and Industry Dialogue
Organized in collaboration with the University of Agder’s School of Business and Law and the Utrecht University European Center of Alternative Finance, the conference highlighted key themes including:
- Crowdfunding and digital lending models in diverse markets
- Microfinance and prosocial lending as tools for inclusion
- The role of crypto assets and currencies in alternative finance
- Invoice trading and new financing models for SMEs
Panels featured experts such as Prof. Roy Mersland (University of Agder), Dr. Bryan Zheng Zhang (Cambridge University), and Ronald Kleverlaan (Alternative Finance Association), who together shaped forward-looking discussions about both opportunities and challenges.
LenderKit’s Engagement
As a technology provider for crowdfunding and investment platforms, LenderKit participated to share practical industry insights and learn from academic perspectives. Key areas of focus included the opportunities and regulatory challenges of crowdfunding in Central and Eastern Europe as well as how software infrastructure can enable platforms to comply with complex regulatory frameworks while expanding across borders
By contributing to discussions with researchers and policymakers, LenderKit emphasized the importance of bridging theory with practice — ensuring that academic research translates into scalable, real-world solutions for investment platforms.
Looking Ahead
The conference reinforced the need for collaboration between academia, regulators, and technology providers. For LenderKit, participation in Sopot-Gdańsk was a valuable step in deepening its engagement with the European alternative finance ecosystem and supporting the sustainable growth of crowdfunding models worldwide.
