Barclays has announced the closure of its decade-old fintech accelerator programme, Rise, by mid-2025. Launched in 2015, Rise was designed to support fintech startups through mentoring, industry events, and fostering collaborations with the financial services (FS) sector. The bank cites the significant evolution of fintech over the past decade, from niche startups to mainstream industry players, as the reason for winding down the initiative.
With hubs in London, New York, and a virtual community in India, Rise cultivated a global network and supported over 120 alumni, including WealthOS, a wealthtech platform, and Velotix, an AI-based data security solution—both of which received Barclays’ investments. The programme became a cornerstone of fintech innovation, hosting numerous events annually and driving collaboration between startups and financial institutions.
Barclays explained that when Rise was launched, fintech startups required dedicated platforms to gain traction in the competitive and heavily regulated FS sector. However, the fintech ecosystem has since matured, providing startups with increased opportunities to collaborate and innovate independently within the industry.
The closure reflects this changing landscape, as fintech has grown into a vital driver of innovation in financial services. While the Rise programme will conclude, its legacy of fostering growth and collaboration in the fintech sector remains a testament to Barclays’ early commitment to supporting innovation.
