EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT

Benefit from a 15% Early Bird Discount registering by April 15, 2026

Summer Academy

SME Finance Future Leaders Track

Your next career step

The SME Finance Future Leaders track explores key developments shaping the future of SME finance, including inclusive finance, digital and fintech solutions, and sustainable, climate-aligned approaches. A central theme for 2026 is ambidexterity—the ability to strengthen core business while simultaneously driving innovation—applied to strategy, organizational design, leadership, and capability building. Through interactive sessions and peer exchange, participants engage with both strategic and practical challenges facing SME finance professionals today. 

Date

29 June - 3 July, 2026

Location

Frankfurt School Campus

Language

English

Price

Before 15 April: €4,845 

After 15 April: €5,700 

The SME Finance Future Leaders track explores key developments shaping the future of SME finance, including inclusive finance, digital and fintech solutions, and sustainable, climate-aligned approaches. A central theme for 2026 is ambidexterity—the ability to strengthen core business while simultaneously driving innovation—applied to strategy, organizational design, leadership, and capability building. Through interactive sessions and peer exchange, participants engage with both strategic and practical challenges facing SME finance professionals today. 

seminar held in a class

CONTENT

The SME Finance Future Leaders track is designed for experienced professionals who are shaping the future of small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) finance. The track focuses on cross-cutting themes reflecting current developments in the sector, including gender and inclusive finance, digital finance and fintech-enabled solutions, sustainable finance and climate-aligned approaches, as well as broader trends shaping SME financing ecosystems.   

A central theme of the 2026 edition is ambidexterity, referring to an organization’s ability to efficiently manage its existing business while simultaneously developing new innovations—combining stability with long-term renewal. In the context of SME finance, this translates into strengthening core business models while exploring new markets and products, establishing efficient structures alongside more agile processes for innovation, fostering leadership and cultures that balance reliability with openness to change, and investing in new capabilities, technologies, and tools without weakening the core business. 

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Target Group

This track is designed for professionals with a strong background in SME finance who are looking to deepen their strategic perspective and leadership capabilities. Typical participants include:   

  • Mid- to senior-level professionals with several years of experience in SME finance or related fields
  • Experts working in financial institutions, development finance, fintech, or advisory roles
  • Professionals involved in designing, managing, or innovating SME finance solutions
  • Future leaders aiming to drive transformation and innovation within SME finance ecosystems 
A photo showing a professional meeting with executives seated around a table.

Registration

Summer Academy 2026

SME Finance Track
Frankfurt School Campus
EUR 5,700

Registration

Summer Academy 2026

SME Finance Track
Frankfurt School Campus
EUR 5,700
Image highlighting the modern architecture of Frankfurt School in square format.

DISCOUNTS

Combinable discounts (max. two discounts per participant, max. 40% discount):

  • 15% Early Bird Discount by15 April 2026.
  • 10% Alumni Discount
  • 10% Group Discount (2 or more participants working for the same company)
  • 15% Non-OECD Discount for all participants with nationality and residency in non-OECD countries. 

Combinable discounts (max. two discounts per participant, max. 40% discount):

  • 15% Early Bird Discount by15 April 2026.
  • 10% Alumni Discount
  • 10% Group Discount (2 or more participants working for the same company)
  • 15% Non-OECD Discount for all participants with nationality and residency in non-OECD countries. 

METHODOLOGY

Over five days, you’ll benefit from expert-led sessions, real-world case studies, and tailored discussions that connect theory with practice. 

  • Immersive, in-person training at Frankfurt School’s campus. 
  • Practical insights and deep dives into current trends. 
  • Direct interaction with faculty and industry experts. 
  • Valuable networking opportunities with peers worldwide. 

Join a global community of professionals who are advancing their careers and shaping the future of sustainable finance through hands-on, collaborative learning.

TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION

29 JUNE - 3 JULY

DAY 1

Future of SME Finance

 

Welcome Reception

DAY 2

Organising Innovation in Regulated Environments


Where to Grow in SME Markets

City Tour

DAY 3

Case Studies

Site Visit

DAY 4

Digital Transformations

Using Data for SME Lending

Free Evening

DAY 5

Where Digital Creates Values

AI & Sustainability

Certification Ceremony

TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION

29 JUNE - 3 JULY

DAY 1

Future of SME Finance

 

Welcome Reception

DAY 2

Organising Innovation in Regulated Environments


Where to Grow in SME Markets

City Tour

DAY 3

Case Studies

Site Visit

DAY 4

Digital Transformations

Using Data for SME Lending

Free Evening

DAY 5

Where Digital Creates Values

AI & Sustainability

Certification Ceremony

RELATED PROGRAMMES

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU

Kristin Strohmenger

Programme Manager

summeracademy@fs.de 

CONTACT US

TENTATIVE AGENDA

29 JUNE - 3 JULY

DAY 1

Framing the challenge: What Is the Future in SME Finance—and Why It Matters for Your Business Model

Welcome Reception

Day 2

Organizing Innovation in Regulated Environments: Models That Work in European Banks

Where to Grow in SME Markets: Beyond  Core Segments

How to Serve Women- and Youth: from inclusion to powerful value propositions

City Tour

Day 3

Financing GreenTech & Start-ups (VC)
Futury?


Fintech Partnerships in Europe: Collaboration Models, Risks, and Success Factors
 

Site Visit

Day 4

Digital Transformation: Digitalization in SME Banking

Using Data for SME Lending: From Traditional Credit Assessment to Alternative Data

 

Day 5

Where Digital Creates Value —and Where It Doesn’t

AI & Sustainability

Panel Discussion - Sustainable Finance - Quo Vadis?

Certification Ceremony

TENTATIVE AGENDA

29 JUNE - 3 JULY

DAY 1

Framing the challenge: What Is the Future in SME Finance—and Why It Matters for Your Business Model

Welcome Reception

Day 2

Organizing Innovation in Regulated Environments: Models That Work in European Banks

Where to Grow in SME Markets: Beyond  Core Segments

How to Serve Women- and Youth: from inclusion to powerful value propositions

City Tour

Day 3

Financing GreenTech & Start-ups (VC)
Futury?


Fintech Partnerships in Europe: Collaboration Models, Risks, and Success Factors
 

Site Visit

Day 4

Digital Transformation: Digitalization in SME Banking

Using Data for SME Lending: From Traditional Credit Assessment to Alternative Data

 

Day 5

Where Digital Creates Value —and Where It Doesn’t

AI & Sustainability

Panel Discussion - Sustainable Finance - Quo Vadis?

Certification Ceremony