10096390AI-Driven Vulnerable Customer Protection in Financial ServicesClosedInvestment AcceleratorInnovate UKSerene has the potential to foster better financial well-being for countless individuals worldwide. My name is Savannah. I am a woman in fintech under the age of 30 -- an underrepresented innovator. With an unconventional background spanning climate change research, professional athletics, and entrepreneurship, I have honed a diverse skill set that fuels my commitment to impact-driven innovation. My innovative idea stems from a personal experience. My family and I discovered a unique technique to detect signs of my sister's struggles with mental health by monitoring her spending. This led me to discover the profound link between "invisible" vulnerabilities, such as poor mental health, and financial behaviours. Currently, 53% of adults in the UK exhibit characteristics of financial vulnerability, yet only 3% are recognised by financial service providers. This inefficiency leaves a substantial number of vulnerable consumers unidentified and underserved, and imposes an estimated annual cost of £1.9 billion on UK banks. Moreover, impending FCA regulations - such as the New Consumer Duty - demand more comprehensive solutions to ensure fair treatment for vulnerable consumers and meet their distinct needs and circumstances. Serene addresses the pressing challenge of effectively identifying, safeguarding, and supporting vulnerable customers in financial services, aligning perfectly with the goals of the Unlocking Potential Award. Serene will analyse behavioural "biomarkers" within consumer transaction data to identify drivers of vulnerability and provide tailored recommendations. In doing so, we will offer an innovative solution that doesn't currently exist in the market. Serene's innovation lies in its continuous, real-time monitoring and holistic approach. Unlike existing solutions that are manual, dependent of staff observation and often focus on just one aspect of vulnerability, Serene offers an end-to-end solution. It covers current and potential financial and non-financial vulnerability identification, dynamic profiling for a more nuanced understanding of consumer needs, and tailored support. The Unlocking Potential Award will have a profound impact on both the business and myself. For me, it represents concept validation and credibility, which are crucial for engaging with customers and investors. For Serene, it will provide the necessary resources to conduct feasibility testing and refine the business strategy.