AI meets asset finance: the AFC Dragons are back

The stage is set for one of the AFC Autumn Conference’s most anticipated sessions – The AFC Dragons – AI Fintech Showdown. Sponsored by Lendscape, this year’s live fintech innovator challenge brings together the sharpest minds in AI and asset finance to compete for the 2025 title – and the attention of lenders ready to put innovation into action.

The format: pitches, pressure, and potential

Three fintech innovators will pitch their solutions live, then face the Dragons’ grilling – a panel of industry experts led by Steve Taplin, Chief Product Officer at Lendscape. Joining him are Cat Powell, Head of Data Insight and Automation at Novuna Business Finance, and Andy Trimmer, Head of Technology at Simply.

The twist? The winning solution isn’t just decided by the judges – the audience has 50% of the vote. It’s an interactive, high-stakes format that ensures the best ideas rise through both scrutiny and crowd appeal.

The 2025 contenders

• Inspeq (Krank) – An AI that automatically builds inspection reports to assess asset condition both in-life and at the end of contract. It promises faster, more accurate, and consistent asset reporting.
• Gralio – An AI-driven platform that documents and analyses finance workflows, then recommends process improvements. Aimed at efficiency, compliance, and better use of human time.
• Generational – A breakthrough in BEV (battery electric vehicle) diagnostics. Its battery-data AI measures true battery health, helping lenders optimise residual values and mitigate risk.

Each of these startups brings a different slice of AI innovation, from workflow intelligence to asset inspection to sustainability-focused analytics.

One year on: last year’s winner returns

Returning to the stage will be VAMOS, the 2024 AFC Dragons’ Den winner. A year on, we’ll find out how they turned their AFC victory into a live partnership – winning a contract with Haydock Finance and delivering tangible results. It’s a reminder that the AFC Dragons aren’t just about ideas – they’re a launchpad for real business growth.

The verdict: what’s good — and what’s not

The AFC Dragons format has become a highlight because it’s authentic. It celebrates innovation and subjects it to real-world testing. The good: real industry engagement, transparency, and a chance for lenders to discover practical, deployable solutions.

The challenge: AI hype still runs ahead of implementation, and the Dragons’ task is to separate promise from proof. With automation, data integrity, and ethical AI all in play, the Dragons’ Den remains the ultimate test of fintech credibility.

Whether you’re a technologist, lender, or curious onlooker, the AFC Dragons – AI Fintech Showdown promises to reveal where AI in asset finance really stands, and where it’s going next.

Date: Tuesday 25 November 2025
Location: County Hall etc.venues, Belvedere Rd, London SE1 7PB, UK
Find out more or register now: afcconferenceuk.com/Nov25