Rise Start-Up Academy opens applications for FinTech experts

New program seeks to provide a unique opportunity to those affected by recent downsizing in the FinTech sector

Rise, created by Barclays – a global community of the world’s best innovators working together to create the future of financial services – has opened applications for the next cohort of the Rise Start-Up Academy. The theme of this cohort is specifically focused on supporting budding founders who are finding themselves out of their FinTech jobs due to the current economic climate.

The 20-week program will support participants in bringing their new FinTech ideas to life by connecting them with the technical and financial experts in the Rise community whose work is aligned with theirs to help launch their idea or business . This partnership is intended to provide learning from anywhere with 24/7 access, opportunities to apply learning through weekly activities, live workshops and connecting with peers – and help them succeed by creating lasting, rewarding connections with other like-minded FinTech – founders.

“We are delighted to open the application process for the latest iteration of the Rise Start-Up Academy as we look for founders who are motivated and ready for their second act,” said Sonal Lakhani, Rise Global Head of Programs and Strategic Initiatives for Barclays Innovation. “We are eager to welcome these entrepreneurs into the global world of FinTech – a sector that is always evolving as the pace of digital adoption of financial services by consumers and businesses continues to accelerate.”

The first Rise Start-Up Academy was launched to connect founders and provide them with training and community, with a collective ambition to transform the future of FinTech. This latest program comes on the heels of a summer that saw widespread hiring freezes and reduced growth in the tech space for the first time in two years.¹ Layoffs have risen to an estimated 71,000 positions that have been eliminated across tech start-ups since the start of 2022.²

“When we started the Rise Start-Up Academy, we set out to build a program that helps entrepreneurs build their ideas into effective products for the future of FinTech,” Lakhani said. “This time we’ve selected this impacted founder population because we believe that out of adversity comes innovation and invention. Sometimes it gives you a new opportunity to do things you couldn’t or wouldn’t do before. Historical data has shown that Recessions, though tough, can spark new thinking in a need-filled environment and create a hotbed of innovative new ideas and successful global businesses.” Lakhani added.

The program will foster new talent to join new successful leaders and companies that have passed through Rise’s doors since the first Rise Start-Up Academy was launched earlier this year. Barclays has seen the tangible benefits of connecting new entrepreneurs with successful entrepreneurs of previous cohorts.

“At Barclays, we believe that innovation happens when different people and ideas come together to think about business challenges in new ways,” Lakhani said. “These entrepreneurs represent Barclays’ deep commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders, providing access to business, employability and financial skills.”

Interested individuals with experience in the FinTech sector are encouraged to apply. They can access the application and more program information here:

1. Tech’s layoff wave could hurt employer branding | Insider| 10 May 2022
2. Technical start-up layoffs are approaching 71,000 in 2022 | MarketWatch | 16 August 2022