Anusha Shaikh: Boldly Building a FinTech Network from Campus

University classrooms are increasingly becoming places where business ideas turn into real ventures. For Anusha Shaikh, a third-year supply chain management student at the Haskayne School of Business in Canada, that opportunity led to the creation of FinTech Calgary. Fintech Calgary is a student-led organisation that connects fintech companies with industry partners and potential clients.

Her journey reflects a growing trend of students using university resources to test and build real businesses before graduation.

Turning Ideas into Action

While studying entrepreneurship courses at Haskayne, Shaikh worked on projects that required students to develop practical solutions to real problems.

In one class, her team created a prototype called SmartCheck, a system inspired by RFID technology that could help universities track student attendance more efficiently. The project helped her learn how to turn ideas into workable solutions and present them clearly in a business setting.

Outside the classroom, Shaikh was already working on something bigger.

Building a Fintech Network

Shaikh founded FinTech Calgary to help financial technology startups gain more visibility and connect with key stakeholders.

The organisation supports fintech companies through networking events, digital promotion, and industry discussions. One of its early initiatives was a business-to-business program that allows fintech companies to present their products directly to potential enterprise buyers.

Through webinars, demos, and panel discussions, startups are able to showcase their solutions and generate new business opportunities.

Overcoming the Student Barrier

Starting the organisation was not without challenges. One of the biggest hurdles was being taken seriously as an undergraduate founder.

To overcome this, Shaikh focused on preparation and delivering real value through the organisation’s activities. By formally registering the association, building partnerships, and creating structured programs, FinTech Calgary gradually gained credibility within the industry.

Expanding Opportunities

As the organisation grew, it began attracting international attention.

Shaikh was invited to attend the Dubai FinTech Summit, where she gained exposure to global conversations around financial innovation and collaboration.

FinTech Calgary has also formed a partnership with APIX, a Singapore-based platform that connects financial institutions with fintech solutions. This partnership helps member companies access international competitions, hackathons, and industry opportunities.

Shaikh believes student founders should not wait for the “perfect moment” before acting on their ideas. Sometimes, simply starting is what turns a small concept into something much bigger.