Sends, an FCA-authorised Electronic Money Institution (EMI) specialising in cross-border payments for SMEs, has been named one of three finalist teams at the Open Data Institute (ODI) hackathon, held to mark the launch of Solid26. Competing against engineers and data innovators from across the UK and beyond, the Sends team designed and built a working prototype — the Financial Pod — in just two days.
The hackathon brought together engineers, data specialists, and technology professionals to explore new approaches to data ownership, privacy, and interoperability. Sends entered the event to deepen its understanding of emerging data models — and finished as a finalist team. From the Sends team, four people participated: Lev Shevtsov, Taisia Yazvinska, Viktoriia Novikova, and Roman Bilinskyi.
The hackathon formed part of the broader Solid Symposium 2026 programme led by the Open Data Institute, a global gathering focused on advancing user-controlled data technologies and real-world Solid applications across industries.
The Financial Pod concept emerged directly from the hackathon’s hands-on workshops, where the team explored Solid — the decentralised data framework pioneered by Tim Berners-Lee. In simple terms, Solid separates data from applications, enabling individuals to store their personal information in secure, self-managed spaces known as Pods. This gives users direct control over what data is shared, with whom, and for how long.
This approach closely aligns with Sends’ focus on security, simplicity, and customer control. Building on this foundation, the team developed the Financial Pod. In this secure, user-owned environment, individuals can consolidate financial data, including bank transactions and payment history, and manage access on their own terms.
Rather than storing sensitive financial information on centralised platforms, the Financial Pod routes processed data directly into the user’s own Solid Pod, ensuring ownership remains entirely with the individual. Users authenticate via a Solid identity provider, connect their financial accounts, and define precisely what information is visible — and to whom. The concept is grounded in a clear principle: financial data should belong to the person it describes.
The Financial Pod was conceived and built within the hackathon environment and remains an early-stage prototype. As with any innovation at the intersection of financial services and emerging data infrastructure, further development would require comprehensive regulatory review and alignment with applicable compliance frameworks. Sends is committed to ensuring that any future iteration meets the standards expected of an FCA-authorised institution.
“Participating in the ODI hackathon gave us the opportunity to step beyond day-to-day product development and engage with where data ownership in financial services is heading,” said Alona Shevtsova, CEO of Sends. “Building a finalist-level prototype in just two days demonstrates both the strength of our team and the practical relevance of Solid. The Financial Pod is an early concept, but it highlights a very real shift toward user-controlled financial data.”
Interest in Solid is growing among developers and institutions looking to build a more user-centric web. Sends’ participation in the ODI hackathon reflects the company’s broader commitment to exploring technologies that can meaningfully reshape how financial services are delivered, with greater transparency, control, and trust for users.
Sends is an active player in the fintech community, legal initiatives, and technological innovation. The company’s team regularly participates in major industry events. In 2026 alone, Sends exhibited at Pay360, attended FiNext Dubai 2026, and won the Global SME Banking Innovation Award 2026.
For more information about the Solid project, visit solidproject.org.
About Sends
Sends is a UK-based fintech company providing a fast, secure platform for international payments, supporting SMEs with bank transfers, card payments, and alternative payment methods. As an FCA-authorised Electronic Money Institution, Sends combines regulatory rigour with a strong focus on innovation and customer-centric product design. For more information, visit sends.co.
Note: The Financial Pod is a prototype concept developed during the ODI hackathon. It is not a current Sends product. Any future development would be subject to full regulatory review.
