In 2026, Stockholm will host a pivotal event that is destined to shape the course of financial evolution: NextGen Nordics 2026 – Architecting the Future of Money. As a seasoned entrepreneur specializing in deeptech and global strategies, I, Violetta Bonenkamp, perceive this not merely as an event but as an inflection point for the European payments ecosystem. For entrepreneurs, startup founders, freelancers, and business owners, this is a moment to explore how the Nordics are adopting transformative technologies to define the next generation of financial systems , technologies you can integrate within your own business models.
The NextGen Nordics 2026 – A Snapshot
Set on April 28, 2026, in Stockholm at Münchenbryggeriet, this event will unite visionaries from banking, fintech, and regulatory institutions to discuss how to not just scale innovations but *architect foundational systems for future financial resilience and transformation. With banks exploring the integration of programmable payments, AI, and Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), NextGen Nordics offers a unique vantage point for understanding cutting-edge fintech trends. Whether you are a solopreneur or the CEO of a scaling startup, this event offers insights to blend regulatory compliance with cutting-edge innovation.
To explore more, visit the NextGen Nordics homepage.
Why Entrepreneurs Should Attend
The Nordics are often seen as the bellwether for global payment transformation, balancing innovation, security, and user-centric strategy. Here’s why showing up matters:
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Innovative Payment Models
The Nordics have championed real-time payments and open banking, paving the way for scalable ecosystems based on interoperability. The utilization of APIs and programmable payments has created new opportunities for building dynamic, data-rich interaction models. Learn more about these capabilities at Finextra’s article on programmable payments. -
Future-Proof Your Business Against Fintech Trends
Future technologies like Quantum Resilience, which protects sensitive financial data, AI-driven predictive analytics, and CBDCs, will significantly impact areas like fraud management, credit assessment, and regulatory reporting. For example, my own startup integrated AI to streamline intellectual property protection in CAD design. Entrepreneurs in diverse verticals can also make use of AI for hyper-personalized client solutions or fraud detection. -
Regulatory Harmonization
Regulations are not just constraints , they offer avenues for competitive compliance-driven innovation. The Nordics’ adoption of ISO20022 to standardize payment flows across regions is a prime example. Learning about these shifts can help position your solutions for international scalability.
How to Maximize Your Experience
Here’s a step-by-step guide to make the most of your time at NextGen Nordics 2026 as an entrepreneur:
Step 1: Pre-Event Prep
- Research Topics: Dive into key sessions related to programmable payments, CBDCs, and AI. Familiarize yourself with Nordics-based market trends (Finextra Payments Insights).
- Define Objectives: Identify networking goals, are you seeking partnerships, customer insights, or strategic direction?
- Know the Experts: Review speaker profiles ahead of time (speakers list) and understand their relevance to your business.
Step 2: Attend with Intent
- Network Strategically: With over 30 expert speakers, including executives from regulatory bodies and leading fintechs, invest time in the networking sessions to build meaningful relationships.
- Focus on Panels with Immediate Application: Don’t spread yourself thin; attend sessions tailored to your business needs, such as cross-border payment models or AI-driven CX innovations.
Step 3: Post-Event Implementation
- Convert ideas into actions. For example, after attending the 2025 edition, I re-imagined compliance automation for startups using blockchain and AI partnerships I secured during the event.
Common Mistakes Entrepreneurs Should Avoid
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Missing Connections in Networking Breaks
Too often, individuals focus solely on the sessions while ignoring the power of creating relationships. Ensure you leverage the drinks reception and breakout discussion slots for targeted one-on-one interaction. -
Overlooking Regional Trends
The fintech achievements of countries like Sweden and Denmark can teach you how to scale amidst regulatory complexity. Entrepreneurs often fail to study local use cases. -
Not Following Up
Networking doesn't end when the event does. Reconnect with contacts by sharing ideas stemming from specific session discussions. Send actionable follow-ups to convert conversations into collaborations.
Deep Insights from Violetta Bonenkamp
From Stockholm to Silicon Valley, financial ecosystems are shifting towards human-centric design and global alignment. Even as the Nordics adopt quantum technologies and CBDCs, their primary focus remains on enhancing customer experience. Doing business today isn’t just about solutions proving profitable or scalable, it’s about being socially responsible, understanding trends, and integrating tech-driven ethics.
During my time as the founder of CADChain, I frequently align intellectual property strategies with broader industry collaborations. Entrepreneurs should consider platforms where innovation meets impact, especially if they want to attract grants or venture investments. If you’re aiming to blend AI with creativity, this is a trend already setting global benchmarks.
Conclusion
The NextGen Nordics 2026 is more than just a conference, it’s a catalyst for pioneering change in how businesses and governments interact with money. It’s where Scandinavian innovators showcase insights into building financial structures that prioritize security, efficiency, and customer trust. Whether you’re an entrepreneur eyeing blockchain interoperability, a freelancer looking to pivot into fintech consulting, or a business owner aiming for scalability, this event is your arena.
Take action now. View the full agenda and register through the NextGen Nordics page. Let the Nordics inspire you to adopt programmable innovation in your own ventures.
FAQ
1. What is NextGen Nordics 2026?
NextGen Nordics 2026 is an annual event in Stockholm focusing on the future of financial systems, including programmable payments, AI-driven solutions, and Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). Discover NextGen Nordics 2026
2. When will NextGen Nordics 2026 take place?
The event will be held on April 28, 2026, at Münchenbryggeriet in Stockholm, Sweden. Explore the event location and agenda
3. Who should attend NextGen Nordics?
It is tailored for financiers, entrepreneurs, fintech innovators, regulators, and tech leaders aiming to integrate cutting-edge payment and AI technologies into their business models. Learn more about attendees and sessions
4. What topics will be covered at NextGen Nordics 2026?
Topics include programmable payments, CBDCs, AI-driven customer experiences, quantum resilience, and innovative banking models. Dive into the agenda details
5. How can participants prepare for the event?
Research key session topics, define networking goals, review speaker profiles, and familiarize yourself with Nordic payment trends before attending. Get preparation tips
6. What are common mistakes to avoid at this event?
Mistakes include neglecting networking opportunities, overlooking local trends, and failing to follow up with industry contacts post-event. Understand how to maximize your experience
7. How does NextGen Nordics benefit entrepreneurs?
The event provides insights into blending regulatory compliance with innovation, future-proofing against fintech trends, and scaling business models using Nordic technologies. Learn how entrepreneurs can benefit
8. How are the Nordics leading financial innovation?
The Nordic region is advancing real-time payments, open banking, and ISO20022 adoption, creating scalable ecosystems with innovative payment models. Explore Nordic achievements
9. What should attendees focus on post-event?
After the event, implement actionable ideas, reconnect with contacts, and convert conversations into collaborations. Check out post-event strategies
10. What resources are available to learn more about programmable payments?
You can explore Finextra’s insights on programmable payments and other emerging technologies shaping future financial systems. Learn about programmable payment models
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
