About UsThe Story Behind TheTycoon AcademyThe Story Behind The Tycoon Academy
23
Countries worked in
Businesses launched, scaled and rescued across three continents.
1000s
Owners coached
Real small business owners trained by the founder team.
6–9
Grades we build for
The years where confidence, judgement and independence form.
5
Awards & appointments
Independent recognition for the work behind the programme.
Sean Goldsmith
Founder, The Tycoon Academy
Our story
WE HAVE TO GIVE OUR CHILDREN THE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE USUALLY ONLY LEARNT AT 45?
Tycoon Academy was founded by Sean Goldsmith, an award-recognised entrepreneur who has spent more than 25 years launching, scaling and supporting small businesses across 23 countries. Over and over, he saw capable adults in their 40s and 50s learning the skills that matter most — selling, pricing, managing money, negotiating, spotting opportunity and recovering from failure — only after those skills had already cost them dearly. Then AI began reshaping work itself, and the question became personal: why wait until our children are grown to teach them how to think, build, sell and adapt? Tycoon Academy exists to give Grades 6–9 real venture experience now, while the stakes are small, so they reach adulthood with judgement, confidence and a head start that no traditional curriculum provides.
- Businesses launched and supported across 23 countries
- Thousands of small business owners coached and trained
- Experience spanning global brands and founder-led businesses
- Former Director, British Franchise Association
- Builds AI systems used by real small businesses today
- Programme designed for South African Grades 6–9
Recognition
RECOGNISED GLOBALLY FOR HELPING THOUSANDS OF SMALL BUSINESSES LAUNCH, GROW AND THRIVE.
Parents are trusting us with their children's time. These are the independent markers of the work behind the programme.
Awards and appointments held by the founder and the businesses he has built.
- Finalist
Great British Entrepreneur Awards
Technology category finalist — recognised nationally for building technology-led businesses.
- Award
Elite Business 100 Entrepreneur
Named among the UK's Elite Business 100 for entrepreneurial performance and growth.
- Twice listed
Groe Top 100 SMEs
Listed twice among the top 100 small and medium enterprises for growth and impact.
- 2024
Franchise Support Company of the Year
Awarded for the quality of support delivered to franchise networks and their owners.
- Former
Director, British Franchise Association
Served on the board of the industry body that sets ethical franchising standards.
- 23 countries
International operating experience
Businesses launched, scaled and supported across 23 countries and multiple sectors.
What parents can expect
We equip your kid
for success in an
AI-dominated world.
Trained facilitators, not babysitters
Every cohort is led by a facilitator trained on our curriculum and coached by the founder team.
Small teams, real accountability
Children work in small venture teams with defined roles, so nobody hides at the back of the room.
Real ventures, not simulations
They build, price, sell and account for something real. The lesson lands because the outcome is real.
AI as a tool, with guardrails
They learn to use AI to build faster and think harder — never to hand over the thinking itself.
Apply to Join
Give your child the head start they deserve.
Join the founder-led programme that teaches children how to think, build, sell, solve problems and use AI properly — before they need it most.
- Small cohortsCapped groups so every child gets airtime.
- Real tradingThey sell to real customers, in Rands.
- Vetted mentorsPolice-cleared, trained, always two adults.
Register your interest
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