Wednesday 24 June 2026
CodeNode, London, EC2M 7EB
Data from our latest State of the Advice Nation (SOTAN) report tells us something interesting about the role of tech in advice right now.
AI adoption among advice firms is increasingly rapidly. Use of AI in the advice process among SOTAN respondents has roughly doubled each year over the past three waves, from 15% to 29% to 60% in our latest report.
At the same, advice firms are busy. Commercially things look positive, but the sector is also fast approaching capacity.
All this means better technology matters. Clearly it mattered before, but now perhaps even more so.
New tech is coming to the market all the time, usually with big promises attached. But sorting what is genuinely useful and practical for your firm from the (often AI-based) hype is hard.
This is where Catwalk comes in.
Back for the third year, Catwalk is our Dragons Den style event featuring early stage tech firms who are building cool stuff for advice professionals.
Following an application process, the chosen final five will strut their stuff (figuratively, but literally if they want) and demo their tech. They’ll then face questions and a general grilling from our expert panel of High Inquisitors (to be revealed soon).
Demos are a notoriously strict five minutes long. In the past we’ve deployed red alert stage lighting and even an organ to make sure demo-ers stick to time, and we are not afraid to rustle up yet more punishing stage and sound effects for any start-ups that dare go over their allotted time.
At the end, the audience votes for their favourite. The winner gets industry acclaim, the Catwalk title and of course, the traditional coveted prize of a packet of Rolos.
You’ll see the new tech and AI being built for advisers right now, plus have the chance to ask your own tough questions of the tech wares on offer. The questions you wish you’d asked before adopting new tech in your firm, or the ones you fail to get answers on from your current providers.
I’m a tech firm, how do I apply?
Complete this application form to the best of your ability. Show us what your tech does and crucially, how it makes things better for advice firms and, where relevant, their clients.
For the best chance of success, this is what we’re looking for:
- Start-ups and early stage tech. Catwalk is purposely not a ‘pay to play’ thing. It’s for tech firms that wouldn’t normally get the spotlight or get a look-in elsewhere.
- Built for financial advice professionals. The closer you are to the world of financial advice and planning, the better.
- Tech that is doing something new or different. If you’re in the world of AI (and who isn’t these days), what is it that your system does differently or better than the AI shop down the road?
From the applications we receive we’ll select a final five that is genuinely innovative. No one wants to see five demos of transcription software in this day and age.
Applications close 13 April 2026, with the final five revealed around the end of April.
I’m an advice professional, how do I attend?
Catwalk is aimed squarely at those working in financial advice and planning.
It’s your chance to gauge the tech that could be coming to a screen near you soon, and for you to find the kit that could make a meaningful difference to your advice process.
Tickets are free to lang cat panel members and Analyser users. For everyone else, tickets are £100 plus VAT.
Advice professionals get first dibs on places.
