AI-powered operating model wins AdviceTech Catwalk

An AI-powered operating model that automates the advice process, Afternoon, has won the AdviceTech Catwalk 2026, The Lang Cat has revealed.

Afternoon is designed to use connected data across the advice process, from meeting capture to sustainability reports.

The operating model won the competition, which is aimed at early-stage startups in the advice technology space, by just two votes.

It beat entries from four other early-stage propositions: Planbot by Ammonite, Obsidian, Life After Me, and Eddie by Jigsaw Tree.

Each provided a demonstration before being questioned by selected industry experts and an audience of advisers, with the advice professionals voting for their winner.

The selected industry experts were Engage Smarter AI NED and co-founder, Felicia Meyerowitz Singh, FNZ managing director, James Dunne, and ZeroKey co-founder and CEO, Joseph Williams.

“We see new technology appearing all the time, but Catwalk is about trying to recognise those at an earlier stage in their development who have something that could positively impact the advice profession in years to come,” said The Lang Cat head of content, Natalie Holt.

“Afternoon are demonstrative of that. Their product answers a problem advisers face which holds them back from doing what they do best – advice.

“Catwalk is about giving advice professionals the chance to see AI up close, and tech they wouldn’t necessarily see elsewhere. It’s about asking the questions they want answered before embedding new systems in their business.

“This means that the final vote is always going to be one of confidence in that firm.”

Afternoon CEO and founder, Crawford Taylor, added: “It’s great to get recognition from your audience, and for advisers to vote us best in show amongst such competition is a real result.

“The five minutes passed so quickly, I felt the system had more to show, but I am glad enough came across to show its core value. The advice industry is evolving all the time, and tech is a big part of that.”

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