VOYA at the Heart of Fintech: Our Journey at Agora Fintech 2025

In April 2025, Istanbul became the stage for one of the most exciting financial technology events of the year — Agora Fintech 2025. As Turkey's most comprehensive fintech fair, the event brought together leading brands, disruptive startups, and technology-focused solution providers from across the region. We at VOYA | Digital Product Design Studio were proud to be part of this vibrant ecosystem with our very first exhibition stand.

This blog post shares our experience at Agora Fintech 2025 — what we showcased, who we met, what insights we gathered, and how this experience is shaping our future in the world of UX design for fintech products.

What Is Agora Fintech? Why Was It Important for VOYA?

Held at the Istanbul Expo Center between April 17–19, Agora Fintech 2025 hosted over 80 companies and thousands of industry professionals. Topics included digital banking, embedded finance, open banking, blockchain, and payment technologies.

For VOYA, participating in this event had two main objectives:

• To establish direct connections with fintech brands and startups
• To demonstrate our strategic approach to digital product design and UX in fintech

More Than a Booth: Creating a Branded Experience

Preparing for Agora Fintech meant more than setting up a booth. As a product design studio, we believe even a stand is a form of user interface. From layout and signage to printed materials and conversation scripts, we crafted every detail to reflect our user-first design philosophy.

Our goal was to create a physical touchpoint that communicated VOYA's value — not through sales pitches, but through experience. Visitors explored visual case studies, product screens, interaction flows, and even participated in real-time usability discussions.

What VOYA Does: Beyond Beautiful Interfaces

A common question we received throughout the event was: "What exactly does VOYA do?" And it's a question we love answering, because it allows us to share what sets us apart.

At VOYA, we don't just "design screens." We guide digital products from idea to execution with a strategy-focused, data-informed, and user-centered approach.

Our services focus on three core areas:

• UX Strategy: We analyze user behavior, pain points, and opportunities to define clear product directions.
• UI Design & Visual Systems: Our designs are not just beautiful—they are scalable, accessible, and easy to implement.
• Team Enablement & Ownership: We work as product partners, not just vendors. We align teams, drive clarity, and take ownership in delivery.

Key Takeaways from the Floor

One of the most valuable aspects of being on-site was speaking directly with industry professionals — from banks to fintech startups, investors to developers. Across all these conversations, we noticed a few recurring challenges:

• "We built the product, but users don't understand it."
• "Our UI looks fine, but the analytics tell a different story."
• "There's a big disconnect between mobile and web experiences."
• "We need to simplify a very complex product."

These concerns validated something we've always believed: In fintech, design is not decoration — it's product strategy.

Our Team in the Field: Design Meets Real People

Our full team was present at the event — from UX designers and researchers to product strategists and client leads. Each team member contributed by engaging with visitors based on their domain expertise.

For us, events like Agora aren't just networking opportunities — they're learning spaces. We didn't just present VOYA; we also shared ideas, trends, and practical methods around fintech UX, design systems, and product delivery.

Post-Event Impact: What Did We Gain?

The impact of Agora Fintech extended well beyond three days. In the weeks that followed, we began receiving demo requests, partnership proposals, and invitations to collaborate.

Some of the key outcomes included:

• New Business Leads: We initiated discussions with fintech brands interested in revamping their product experiences.
• Brand Awareness: Being present at such a high-visibility event significantly boosted VOYA's recognition in the fintech ecosystem.
• Actionable Feedback: On-the-ground reactions helped us refine our process and deepen our market understanding.
• Stronger Industry Ties: We connected with peers and innovators who share similar goals in product design and user experience.

Why Design Matters in Fintech

Fintech products are inherently complex. Whether it's regulatory constraints, sensitive data, or layered user journeys — building a fintech product is never simple. But it shouldn't feel complicated for the user.

That's where design becomes critical. At VOYA, we specialize in simplifying complex systems and transforming them into intuitive, trustworthy, and enjoyable experiences.

Our goal is to bridge the gap between operational logic and user intuition — so that technology works for people, not against them.

What's Next for VOYA?

Agora Fintech 2025 was our first time exhibiting at an event like this, and it certainly won't be the last. The lessons we learned, the people we met, and the momentum we gained have already started to shape our next steps.

Looking ahead, our goals include:

• Expanding our presence at international fintech and tech events
• Collaborating with companies beyond fintech, including insurance, healthtech, and SaaS
• Building our visibility in global markets like London, Berlin, and Dubai

In Closing: Experience the VOYA Difference

For us, Agora Fintech wasn't just an event. It was a reaffirmation of our mission — to build digital products that are thoughtful, useful, and beautifully designed.

At VOYA, we don't just make things look good. We help brands think deeper, move faster, and design smarter. If you're looking to craft a product that resonates with users and drives measurable impact, we'd love to connect.

Because with VOYA, your product experience changes — for the better.