The SWI Community is powered by the Hug Academy Hug Academy
hello@swi.community

Welcome to Your Membership

For £6.99 a month, you get everything you need to learn how to invest in a way that fits your life:

Finance, economics and investing tuition

We’ve partnered with the Hug Academy to provide you with financial literacy training. Each week you'll cover a new topic in short, bite-sized video lessons that take about 15 minutes. From budgeting basics to understanding investments, everything is explained without jargon and designed to fit into a busy life.

The Confidence Brief

Written by a female economist, this weekly update explains economic issues in simple language, with a focus on how they affect women and their financial decisions. Choose the format that suits you — article, podcast, or video.

The SWIC Model Portfolio

A live teaching tool where you can see how investment decisions are researched, debated, and tracked over time.

The Monthly Vote

Each month, you'll take part in a symbolic vote on which stock (from the carefully researched shortlist) the Model Portfolio will follow, guided by our economists’ analysis.

Community learning

Monthly webinars, Q&A sessions, and the chance to submit your own money questions anonymously so they get answered for everyone’s benefit.

Join Now and Start Your Journey
Phone demo

The Model Portfolio

Most people learn best by seeing things happen in real time and by doing. That’s why the Model Portfolio (run and managed by Hug Academy) is at the heart of your membership.

Relaxed learning with live market view on laptop
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    It’s owned and run by Hug Academy, not by members.

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    It’s for education only. No member money is invested, and no personal advice is given.

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    Each month, Hug Academy economists provide a shortlist of researched options. You take part in a symbolic vote to see how decisions could be made.

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    You can track the portfolio’s performance and learn how real markets respond over time.

Unlike a fund manager, we don’t take your money or manage your assets. We teach you to invest for yourself. And when Hug does well, we give back to the community through discretionary bonuses, bursaries, and events.

Start by Doing. Join SWIC

Have You Got 20 Mins?

You don’t need hours each week to build confidence with money.

  • Hug Academy lessons take around 15 minutes a week.
  • The Confidence Brief takes 5 minutes to read, watch, or listen to.
  • Webinars, forums, and extra content are there if you want them, but always optional.

So even if you’re busy, you can keep learning and building momentum with just 20 minutes a week.

Ready to Start? Join SWIC Today

FAQs

Q: What do I get for £6.99/month?
A: Hug Academy tuition, weekly Confidence Brief updates, access to the Model Portfolio training tool, a monthly vote and various additional community-learning events such as monthly webinars.
Q: How is the Model Portfolio managed?
A: Managed by Hug Academy under Ian Seddon, an experienced financial technologist. You’ll take part in monthly voting on stock selections.
Q: Is SWIC regulated?
A: SWIC via the Hug Academy is in the process of becoming regulated by the FCA. We expect this to take between 3 and 6 months, after which we’ll be able to open up additional investment and financial services as part of the membership.
Q: What happens on day one?
A: You’ll sign up, pay your first monthly membership fee (£6.99), and immediately access Hug Academy tuition. You’ll also receive your first edition of The Confidence Brief and for fun vote which stocks you like in a Model Investment Fund. You’ll see a dashboard that gives you access to all SWIC features mentioned earlier.
Q: What makes SWIC different from other financial education platforms?
A: SWIC combines education with live investing experiences and community support. You learn by doing, not just reading — and you do it alongside other women.
Q: What if I don’t know anything about finance?
A: That’s exactly why SWIC exists. You don’t need prior knowledge — the Hug Academy tuition starts from the basics, and everything is explained in plain English.
Q: Who can join?
A: Our ambition is that any woman, anywhere in the world, who wants to learn how to grow wealth and improve confidence in making financial decisions. Today the education is tailored for a UK audience. We will be opening up new territories soon. Watch this space!
Q: What if I don’t have much time?
A: SWIC is designed for busy women. Hug Academy tuition is bite-sized (15 mins/week) and The Confidence Brief takes about 5 minutes. Everything else — like webinars or forums — is optional.
Q: Is this investing my money?
A: No. The SWIC Model Portfolio is owned by Hug Academy and exists purely as a teaching tool. You never hand over your money for investment.
Q: Do I need any experience?
A: No. Everything starts from the basics and is explained in plain English. If you’ve ever felt “I don’t know where to start,” this is for you.
Q: How much time will it take?
A: Around 20 minutes a week. Enough to learn and stay confident without being overwhelmed.
Q: Can I leave whenever I want?
A: Yes. Your membership is monthly and flexible. You can cancel at any time. However we recommend that you stick around for 3-6 months as we’ll be bringing on numerous additional benefits, exclusive money-saving perks, and financial services.

If you want to get involved, please contact us on hello@swi.community or help us spread the word on our socials: