FinTech Design Challenge

Don’t miss this opportunity to make the winter break rewarding and collaborative.

We challenge YOU to Reimagine Student Debt & Lending. Introducing this year’s virtual week-long FinTech Design Challenge co-sponsored by M&T Bank and UB’s Business and Entrepreneur Partnerships powered by the Innovation Hub.

This challenge will inspire students to produce innovative, entrepreneurial solutions while gaining experience and knowledge in FinTech from industry experts and faculty – while gaining skills in both design and technical communications, as you expand your network with industry leaders.

Up to $3000 in prizes for the winning teams. Plus, bonus — the 1^st place team will earn a paid-internship experience at M&T Bank during the summer ’22 where your teams’ idea will be incubated.

**All undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to participate. No business or banking experience necessary**

FinTech Design Challenge dates: January 10- 14, 2022

Apply now

About the FinTech Design Challenge

During this virtual week-long event, student teams from the University at Buffalo and LaunchPad Network Institutions will respond to a FinTech design challenge in an action-learning experience. The format for the program allows for the sharing of knowledge through daily TED Talk style discussion and presentations, integrated with immediate application of the knowledge via a team idea challenge. Finally, the challenge will be supplemented by mentoring and coaching, punctuated by a final pitch presentation.

The Fintech Design Challenge will inspire student product innovation and entrepreneurship, while affording the opportunity for students to work in diverse teams and collaborate virtually. Students will gain experience and knowledge in FinTech from faculty and industry experts, and gain skills in both design and technical communications – all while expanding their network with industry leaders. Each student will earn a certificate of participation to showcase on their LinkedIn and Handshake profiles and traditional resume, highlighting an experience which they can then share with prospective employers and investors. Students will develop the skills they need to become a strategic decision-maker, an informed manager of tech personnel, or a successful entrepreneur.

The FinTech Design Challenge Theme: Reimagining student Debt & Lending

Time Commitment/Program Structure:

A week-long program culminating with an idea pitch competition.
Attend orientation and onboarding session the week of January 10th
Commit to attending the virtual workshop lectures – 2 per day.
2 team meetings per week scheduled when all team members are able attend.
Engage with your mentor and venture coach to refine your pitch 2-3 meetings during the week.
Create a pitch presentation of your concepts to share at the design competition.

Benefits:

Receive a certificate that states that you have completed UB’s FinTech Design Challenge.
Learn about Working in Virtual Teams, FinTech industry, Iterative Design Processes, Bringing Ideas to Conceptual Design, Computer Programming, Developing the Business Case, Prototyping, Design Deliverables, and other cool topics.

Eligibility:

All students from all levels and academic disciplines are encouraged to participate. Participants will need a Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number in order to collect any prize money awarded.

Please note, this information is submitted on a voluntary basis and will not impact your acceptance in the program. Only UB’s Blackstone LaunchPad will have access to this information. Your responses will be kept private and secure. The information will not be used for a discriminatory purpose.

All students will receive a certificate for participating in the academy. The top three design concepts will receive cash prizes to be split among team members in two idea categories: 1st ($1250), 2nd ($750) and 3rd ($500).

Key Dates:

Application deadline: 1/7/2022 at 11:59 p.m.
Program dates: 1/10/22-1/14/22

1/10 + 1/11: Learning sessions hosted 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. EDT and 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. EDT
1/12: Pitch session + team formation: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. EDT
1/14: Team initial pitch session with Reactors to offer additive feedback
2/4: Final pitches in person at M&T Bank (Transportation provided): 2-4:00 p.m. EDT

Team work sessions encouraged during the non-scheduled time.