From proposition to launch

Rise Start-Up Academy

You’ve tested your business idea and received positive signals from the market. Maybe you already have a customer. But this is just the start.

How it works

Rise Start-Up Academy equips you with skills and tools to help you get fit for market. Here you’ll think about your entire business and all its moving parts, learn to pitch for funding, grow your customer base, and launch with confidence.

Continue to refine your MVP, explore pricing, and develop an understanding of business model dynamics.

The Academy is built around a set schedule and key learning milestones. You’ll have access to a range of modules, a wealth of exclusive content, and a community of like-minded individuals with whom you can share challenges whilst you support each other.

Applications close: 16 June | Programme starts: 10 July

Learn from anywhere

With 24/7 access to your curriculum, benefit from the structure of weekly modules and bite-sized videos to help you gain the skills and mindset that can help you succeed.

Learn by doing

Through weekly activities and live workshops, keep yourself accountable by applying, testing and building on what you’ve learned.

Learn as a community

Build your network with a cohort of like-minded fintech founders and growth experts so you can share your experiences, challenges and opportunities.

Is this Academy right for you?

You’re based in US/Canada/Europe/UK

You’re an early-stage fintech

You’ve validated your idea and have secured, or are securing, your first customers and looking for pre-seed or early-seed stage funding in the next 12 months.

You’ve got a team

You’re a small team of up to 4 people.

Your journey starts here

Complete your application

You’ll need to submit your application by 16 June 2023.

Complete your application

You’ll need to submit your application by 16 June 2023.

Time to explore the Academy

If your application is successful, you’ll be invited to join the Rise Start-Up Academy portal. You’ll explore how it works and connect with other founders in the Academy before the programme starts.

Time to explore the Academy

Start learning

Across the 10 weeks, you’ll fine-tune your MVP, and get to grips with the foundations of pricing, building a team, and preparing to launch.

Start learning

Across the 10 weeks, you’ll fine-tune your MVP, and get to grips with the foundations of pricing, building a team, and preparing to launch.

Pitch to the Academies Team

Pitch your business to the Academies team and get feedback from experts. (NB: This is NOT an investment pitch, it’s an opportunity for feedback).

Pitch to the Academies Team

Pitch your business to the Academies team and get feedback from experts. (NB: This is NOT an investment pitch, it’s an opportunity for feedback).

Continue your journey

You will have access to your learning platform for 6 months after completion of the programme. You’ll also be invited to join the Rise Academies alumni network.

Continue your journey

You will have access to your learning platform for 6 months after completion of the programme. You’ll also be invited to join the Rise Academies alumni network.

Fintech success stories

"So proud to have been part of this programme and this community. Your support made a huge difference!"

Jonathan Neumann

Founder | Climataa

"Participating in the Rise Start-Up Academy programme was a fantastic experience for Zeed. It provided us with invaluable practical knowledge with guidance from experienced mentors, programme managers and fellow participants."

Rohan Regmi

Co-Founder | Zeed

"Being a part of the Rise Start-Up Academy at our early stage, not only gave us the knowledge and education to build as a business, it also opened up the entire Rise fintech ecosystem to us as a network. Hugely beneficial!"

Sonal Bagga

Founder & CEO | Namma

Applications close: 16 June | Programme starts: 10 July