Empowering young SME owners in the UK with the right financial knowledge to strengthen growing businesses.
Overview
For many young entrepreneurs, limited financial skills and knowledge can become a barrier to business growth. Youth Business International (YBI) – the global leader in youth entrepreneurship – in partnership with specialist savings and lending bank Shawbrook, is offering a free, in-depth financial skills training programme to young SME owners in the London, Manchester and Glasgow areas. This tailored FINESSE (Financial Skills for Scaling UK SMEs) course will empower you with the knowledge to make informed financial decisions and grow resilient businesses.
Through this online training, you’ll learn to move away from a reactive approach so you can grow your business with confidence and understand the numbers that matter.
The training will be delivered online via the EYE Academy (Excellence in Youth Entrepreneurship Academy, YBI’s online learning and networking platform) and combines live sessions with self-paced learning modules.
Additional benefits for participants
Participants who complete the training programme will be eligible for:
- Seed funding support: five participants will be awarded £2,000 seed funding
- Networking and awards event: taking place in London at the Shawbrook offices, where the seed funding will be awarded, and attendees can connect with Shawbrook’s expert team – an exclusive chance to build powerful relationships at an award-winning bank specialising in supporting UK businesses.
- EYE Academy license: annual subscriptions will be available free of charge for those who complete the FINESSE training, giving full access to the EYE Academy’s library of resources, including a guide to using AI to improve your sales pipeline, and a toolkit for embedding sustainability throughout your supply chain. Subscribers also gain access to the international entrepreneur community spaces.
Who is the training for?
This training is for young entrepreneurs:
- aged 18-35
- based in the London, Manchester, and Glasgow areas
- whose businesses are showing signs of growth (past the idea stage)
- whose business has been operating for roughly 2-3 years.
If you are looking for the financial know-how to keep scaling your SME business through practical guidance and a clear framework, this training is for you.
When will the training take place?
The first cohort will take place during July 2026, with two more cohorts in September and October.
What will you learn?
This programme helps entrepreneurs move from reactive fundraising to a clear, structured financing strategy that supports their growth goals. It’s made up of four modules:
1. Setting your Growth Strategy (estimated learning time: 45 minutes)
Clarify where you want your business to be in 18–24 months and set key milestones to guide funding decisions.
2. Types and Sources of Capital (estimated learning time: 60 minutes)
Understand different funding options and identify the types that best fit your business model, cash flow, and ambitions.
3. Calculate Your Funding Needs (estimated learning time: 120 minutes)
Determine how much funding you need, when you need it, and what it’s for — based on solid financial projections.
4. Think Like A Capital Architect (estimated learning time: 45 minutes)
Combine different funding sources in a strategic way to reduce risk, manage costs, and support sustainable growth.
Outcome:
A clear, milestone-linked financing strategy with the right capital, at the right time, for the right purpose.
What is the training format?
This is an online, primarily self-paced training course delivered through the EYE (Excellence in Youth Entrepreneurship) Academy by YBI. The expected completion time is 4-5 hours, with the addition of two interactive one-hour live learning sessions. Participants are expected to complete the course within one month.
How to apply
Please complete the application form below. The application deadline is 21 June. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].
Shawbrook FINESSE training application form
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