Rise Start-up Academy supports Fintech Talent affected by economic downturn
Rise made by Barclays supports budding founders finding their way out of their fintech jobs due to the current economic climate, with the latest batch of the Startup Academy.
Rise operates fintech workspaces around the world and in a virtual community where cutting-edge startups and scale-ups can connect, create and scale their businesses, supported by Barclays’ global network of industry experts, mentors, investors and partners.
Its first Rise Start-Up Academy launched to connect entrepreneurs and provide them with training and community, with a collective ambition to transform the future of fintech. But after a summer of layoffs — with an estimated 71,000 jobs cut across tech startups since the start of 2022 — its latest program seeks to support those affected by recent layoffs.
Sonal Lakhani, Rise global leader of programs and strategic initiatives for Barclays Innovationsaid the newest iteration of the Rise Start-Up Academy is looking for founders who are motivated and ready for “their second act”.
“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,” says Lakhani. “This time we have 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 didn’t want to do before. Historical data has shown that recessions, although tough, can spark new thinking in an environment of need and create a hotbed of innovative new ideas and successful global businesses.”
The Academy
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 provides learning from anywhere with 24/7 access, opportunities to apply learning through weekly activities, live workshops and connecting with peers. This helps them succeed by creating lasting, rewarding connections with other like-minded fintech entrepreneurs.
Interested individuals with experience in the fintech sector can find out more program information and submit an application on the Rise Start-up Academy website. Application closes on 20 October 2022.
