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Rise Start-up Academy
FAQs
The Basics
What is the Rise Start-up Academy?
A 20 week, equity and cost free digital skills building programme to empower founders who are rethinking the traditional approach to finance.
Where is the programme based?
The programme is entirely virtual meaning you can learn from anywhere. You will just need a laptop and Wi-Fi to access the weekly workshops and dedicated support available through the programme.
Why should I consider applying?
Over five months, idea and early-stage founders will acquire the key skills and access the foundational resources to bring your start up to life. With other like-minded founders, you’ll :
- Learn from anywhere: Get digital-first, 24/7 access to materials
- Learn by doing: Apply your learnings in workshops and get support from a dedicated community manager
- Learn as a community: Be part of a leading peer-to-peer FinTech network
What is the application process?
- Applications for the Rise Start-Up Academy will close 3rd March 2022, and then all completed applications will be reviewed jointly by the Rise Start-Up Academy and ASPIRE team.
- We will email applicants mid-March to let you know if you have/have not been successful. If you have been successful we will let you know the next steps you need to take to register for the programme.
- Successful applicants will receive detailed information on how to set up for success, and the Rise Start-Up Academy will begin on 4th April 2022.
Founders / Applicants
Who should apply for the programme?
Individuals or teams from Europe (including the UK) and the US. You will have an idea or early stage start-up that aligns to one of our 5 FinTech focus areas. You will be really excited about your idea and can articulate your vision and how your idea is rethinking the traditional approach to finance. Committed to learning a new set of skills, you plan to launch your business in the next 12 months.
What stage of founder is this programme best suited to?
The Rise Start-up Academy is best suited for founders who have an idea/early stage start-up they would like to build into a business in the next 12 months. There is no one-size-fits all when it comes to identifying successful founders/ideas, in terms of age, education, work experience or geographical location.
How am I evaluated throughout the programme?
Each week, there is a set curriculum alongside workshops, tools and activities for you to use and complete. We will be monitoring your engagement with the programme content and platform channels throughout the week to make sure you are really making the most of your opportunity at the Rise Start-Up Academy.
Programme Leadership
Who is leading the programme?
The Rise Start-up Academy is delivered to you by Rise, created by Barclays and Rainmaking. Committed to being the catalyst for change in financial services we have teamed up to support your entrepreneurial growth. To ensure you can access our support flexibly, the Rise Start-up Academy content will be delivered online through ASPIRE, Rainmaking’s’ digital learning and development platform.
Why are Rise, created by Barclays and Rainmaking best placed to deliver the programme?
Rise, created by Barclays is the #HomeofFinTech and is on a mission to connect technology, talent and trends and to accelerate innovation and growth in the financial services industry. Rise allows cutting-edge FinTech start-ups and scale-ups to connect, create and scale their businesses, backed by Barclays’ global network of industry experts, mentors, investors and partners. Rainmaking has been heavily involved in supporting people launch new businesses for more than 100 years collectively!
Programme Details
What is the full curriculum?
The programme is divided into two sprints. In each, there are weekly workshops, tools and assessments. You progress to Sprint 2 when you’ve achieved the outcomes of Sprint 1.
Sprint 1 – Ideation & Customer Discovery,
- Course length: 6 weeks
- Modules: Business Model Development & Environment, Applying Lean Start Up, Customer Segmentation & Discovery, Data Analysis & Insight, Market Attractiveness & Pitch Development
- Outcomes: You will have rapidly validated that you are solving a real customer need in a sizable market and have identified the riskiest assumptions you need to test in your business model. Ideas that cannot demonstrate this evidence are killed.
Sprint 2 Prototype & Launch,
- Course length: 14 weeks
- Modules: Experiment Design, Landing Page Tests, User Journey Mapping, Rapid Prototyping, Pricing, Generate Sales, Growth Marketing, Business Model Dynamics, Leadership & Team Development, Financial Modelling, Roadmap for Growth, Pitching for Investment.
- Outcomes: You will have tested and developed your Minimum Viable Product/Service and developed your go to market plan. You will have considered your marketing and sales strategy, secured early customer commitments or revenue and developed a credible roadmap and business case for growth.
What kind of perks are available to programme participants?
Participants will benefit from a collection of products and services that are highly demanded by entrepreneurs, including Amazon Web Service (AWS), HubSpot for start-ups, 7Cups and Accelerate Law.
What happens post programme?
- We celebrate your achievements! Founders who graduate from the Rise Start-up Academy will be provided with an e-certificate and e-badge which demonstrates your completion of the programme.
- You will also have the opportunity to showcase your business at the Rise Start-up Academy demo day.
- We encourage you to keep learning! You will have access to the online content for 12 months from the first day you log on.
- We keep you connected! You will be invited to a global, virtual community of FinTech founders.
