From Fintech to Event Tech: How [Derek Li] is Revolutionising Global Event Management

4th September 2024

Bio Derek Li

Share this article?

In the world of event technology—where innovation meets execution—evexus Chief Technology Officer, Derek Li, is making waves. With a career rooted in fintech and eCommerce, Derek brings a wealth of knowledge and a fresh perspective to the event management industry and the evexus product. His journey from the epicentre of China’s eCommerce revolution to leading a cutting-edge event technology platform is a story of innovation, adaptation, and a relentless pursuit of simplifying complex processes.

The Journey from Fintech to Event Tech

Derek’s career began in China during the eCommerce boom of the early 2010s. Working with some of the largest agencies in the world, he was instrumental in bringing eCommerce solutions to a wide range of online brands. “I was at the forefront of the eCommerce revolution in China,” Derek recalls, “where I worked for a couple of the largest agencies in the world, bringing eCommerce solutions to a range of online brands.” This experience was not only foundational but also transformative in shaping Derek’s approach to technology and user experience.

Managing a portfolio of over 200,000 products across 58 domains globally saw Derek hone his ability to streamline processes and develop what he describes as “a path of least resistance in getting online customers to order and pay.” His work in eCommerce was largely focused on the B2C sector, where the primary challenge was to make the user experience as seamless and frictionless as possible—a philosophy that would later become central to his work at evexus.

Following his move to Australia in 2012, Derek continued his career in fintech, working with renowned institutions like Monash University and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Here, he played a key role in designing their eCommerce strategies, further deepening his expertise in creating user-centric digital solutions. However, it wasn’t until he joined evexus in 2022 that Derek found the opportunity to apply his knowledge and principles to the event management industry.

The Allure of evexus: Building from the Ground Up

What drew Derek to evexus was the opportunity to create a product that had the potential to genuinely disrupt the event tech industry. “I liked the idea of working with a startup to build something from the ground up and see it grow to make a real impact,” Derek explains. This role not only allowed him to contribute to the development of the platform, but also to design a framework of experts to support the growth. “It allowed me to set up my own team of experts in the field of infrastructure, security, programming, and UI, which is something I enjoy,” he adds.

Derek’s approach to building evexus was heavily influenced by his background in fintech. He saw a significant gap in the event management industry a gap that could be bridged by applying principles commonly used in eCommerce, such as the Payment First Registration System. Traditionally, event management platforms require users to fill out lengthy registration forms before proceeding to payment, which often leads to drop-offs during the registration process. Derek saw an opportunity to flip this model by introducing a system where payment is secured first. “The concept of payment first isn’t anything new in the eCommerce world,” Derek notes, “but it’s not common practice in events. By securing payment upfront, we reduce drop-offs and increase conversions.”

This innovative approach has become one of the hallmark features of the evexus platform, setting it apart from other event management solutions in the market. The Payment First Registration System not only enhances the attendee experience but also provides event planners with a streamlined, efficient way to manage registrations and payments, ultimately leading to higher success rates for events.

Making the Complex Simple: The Core Philosophy of evexus

One of the key challenges in the event management industry is the inherent complexity of coordinating multiple moving parts—attendees, speakers, sponsors, schedules, and more. Derek’s mission at evexus has been to simplify these complexities, making it easier for event planners to create and manage successful events. “With the goal to give event planners greater success at converting and streamlining how they approach the way they build and manage events,” Derek explains, “we’ve designed evexus to make the complex simple.”

This philosophy is reflected in every aspect of the evexus platform, from its mobile- responsive event websites to its integration with third-party solutions. “Our technology uses React, which is used on a lot of modern design platforms today,” Derek points out. This ensures that both the front-end user interface and the back-end admin system are fast, stable, and easy-to-use.

Moreover, evexus offers a range of groundbreaking features that further simplify the event management process. These include an abstract management system with a drag-and-drop program builder, live translation and AI captioning tools, and an integration layer that connects seamlessly with CRM, finance, and membership solutions. “The evexus product has been built by an experienced events team with over 50 years of event industry knowledge,” Derek emphasises, “plus benchmarking against other solutions that are out there and seeking user feedback as we grow.”

Embracing Innovation: The Future of Event Technology

Looking ahead, Derek is excited about the potential for AI to further enhance the event experience. “We are constantly looking at ways to develop our product to deliver an intuitive, seamless experience across all our modules,” he shares. AI has the potential to revolutionise event management by providing smarter data endpoints, making real-time suggestions to improve the event experience, and offering personalised interactions for attendees.

Derek also sees a growing importance in offering multicurrency and flexible payment options, particularly for global events. “Global customers need to have peace of mind when using multi currency as it introduces a range of complexities,” Derek explains. To address these challenges, evexus uses AWS as its hosting provider, ensuring top notch security and compliance. Additionally, the platform’s Shopify-style payment solution provides flexibility and ease of use, supporting over 100 different payment gateways.

As the event management industry continues to evolve, Derek believes that evexus will play a pivotal role in shaping its future. “evexus will continue to drive innovation in event technology, looking at ways to help streamline processes and close the gap between technology and people,” he says.

The platform’s commitment to making the complex simple, coupled with its focus on delivering an exceptional user experience, positions evexus as an industry trailblazer. And as far as Derek Li’s journey from fintech to event tech is concerned, it’s a blockbuster story still being written… so stay tuned!