Project Title: Exploring and Validating Fintech Startup Opportunities
Brown Brothers Harriman (BBH)
| Details | |
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| Project Title | Exploring and Validating Fintech Startup Opportunities |
| Project Topics | Entrepreneurship Product Design & Development Research & Development |
| Skills & Expertise | Communication Competitive Analysis customer segmentation Data analysis Demand Validation financial analysis Market Research Presentation skills Problem-Solving Secondary Research Solution Design stakeholder mapping Strategic Thinking TAM Estimation Venture Analysis |
| Project Synopsis: Challenge/Opportunity | Brown Brothers Harriman (BBH) is a well-established financial services firm renowned for its innovation in identifying and addressing unmet needs within the financial market. With an eye towards the future, BBH's Innovation team seeks to create new technology solutions that can either be integrated into their existing service offerings or spun out as independent entities. The challenge the company currently faces is the need to explore and validate emerging technologies and business models to ensure they remain at the forefront of the fintech revolution. The specific project will be to focused on Gates 0-2 of our 8 stage innovation studio. Gate 0 is technically listening to the market to identify hot spots of market demand based on problems, Gate 1 is about synthesizing problems into a one pager to confirm if it makes sense for us to solve, and Gate 2 is about creating an early hypothesis around the solution shapes for the problem. For this project, we want the students to tune into the financial services market and surface problems they are hearing and seeing. Once they bring us a few problems, we will work with them to prioritize which ones to take further into the market research stages. This project offers students a unique opportunity to delve into the cutting-edge of financial technology. They will engage in the early stages of the innovation process, focusing on problem validation. This involves determining the reality and significance of market problems, understanding customer needs, and recommending solutions that offer meaningful business value. The project unfolds in several phases: landscape familiarization, demand validation, and insight development. For students, the project is ideal as it combines theoretical knowledge with practical experience in a dynamic industry. They will gain hands-on skills in research and analysis, stakeholder engagement, and strategic thinking. This is more than an academic exercise; it is a chance to contribute to real-world business challenges and potentially influence the future direction of financial services. Exploring these strategic challenges allows students to develop valuable career skills in consulting, finance, and innovation, making the experience both relevant and exciting.
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Project Timeline
Brown Brothers Harriman (BBH) - Exploring and Validating Fintech Startup Opportunities
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Due Date
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Deliverables
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Tue, 09/01/26
12:00 AM
UTC
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Academic Calendar
We’ve linked the Academic Calendar (below) to help you stay on track. It includes key dates such as university holidays, class schedules, deadlines, and other important academic milestones. Be sure to review it carefully so you’re aware of when your team meets, when assignments are due, and how your Capstone work fits into the broader semester. Staying organized starts here!
https://www.stevens.edu/office-of-the-registrar/academic-calendar |
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
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Guiding Questions:
We’ve linked the Academic Calendar (below) to help you stay on track. It includes key dates such as university holidays, class schedules, deadlines, and other important academic milestones. Be sure to review it carefully so you’re aware of when your team meets, when assignments are due, and how your Capstone work fits into the broader semester. Staying organized starts here!
https://www.stevens.edu/office-of-the-registrar/academic-calendar |
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Fri, 10/30/26
11:59 PM
EST (UTC-05:00)
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Fall 2026 Midterm Student Evaluation
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Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.
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Fri, 10/30/26
11:59 PM
EST (UTC-05:00)
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Fall 2026 Midterm Presentations
Required Action Item
The Midterm Presentation is a key milestone in your Capstone experience. It gives your team the opportunity to showcase your progress, clarify your project goals, and gather valuable feedback from your faculty advisor and School of Business staff. This is your chance to demonstrate your understanding of the challenge, the approach you’re taking, and any early insights you've uncovered. Clear communication and thoughtful analysis at this stage will help ensure a strong finish to your project in the second half of the semester. Treat it as both a checkpoint and a strategic opportunity to refine your work moving forward! Kate Marsden will coordinate with team leads to schedule midterm presentations.
Team Leads: Please upload a copy of your team’s Midterm Presentation here. This submission helps us keep track of progress and ensure faculty and industry partners have access to your work.
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Required Deliverable
Deliverable submission is required.
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Guiding Questions:
The Midterm Presentation is a key milestone in your Capstone experience. It gives your team the opportunity to showcase your progress, clarify your project goals, and gather valuable feedback from your faculty advisor and School of Business staff. This is your chance to demonstrate your understanding of the challenge, the approach you’re taking, and any early insights you've uncovered. Clear communication and thoughtful analysis at this stage will help ensure a strong finish to your project in the second half of the semester. Treat it as both a checkpoint and a strategic opportunity to refine your work moving forward! Kate Marsden will coordinate with team leads to schedule midterm presentations.
Team Leads: Please upload a copy of your team’s Midterm Presentation here. This submission helps us keep track of progress and ensure faculty and industry partners have access to your work.
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Wed, 12/23/26
11:59 PM
EST (UTC-05:00)
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Fall 2026 Final Student Self Reflection
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Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.
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Wed, 12/23/26
11:59 PM
EST (UTC-05:00)
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Fall 2026 Final Presentations
Required Action Item
The Final Presentation is the culmination of your semester-long work and a chance to demonstrate the impact of your project. This is where your team presents your findings, recommendations, and overall contributions to your industry sponsor and faculty advisor. It’s not just about what you accomplished—it’s about how you approached the problem, collaborated as a team, and applied your skills to deliver meaningful outcomes. Think of it as your professional showcase: a polished, confident presentation that reflects your effort, growth, and real-world readiness. Take pride in what you've built and finish strong! Kate Marsden will coordinate with team leads to schedule the final presentations.
Team Leads: Please upload a copy of your team’s Final Presentation here. This submission helps us keep track of progress and ensure faculty and industry partners have access to your work.
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Required Deliverable
Deliverable submission is required.
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Guiding Questions:
The Final Presentation is the culmination of your semester-long work and a chance to demonstrate the impact of your project. This is where your team presents your findings, recommendations, and overall contributions to your industry sponsor and faculty advisor. It’s not just about what you accomplished—it’s about how you approached the problem, collaborated as a team, and applied your skills to deliver meaningful outcomes. Think of it as your professional showcase: a polished, confident presentation that reflects your effort, growth, and real-world readiness. Take pride in what you've built and finish strong! Kate Marsden will coordinate with team leads to schedule the final presentations.
Team Leads: Please upload a copy of your team’s Final Presentation here. This submission helps us keep track of progress and ensure faculty and industry partners have access to your work.
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Teams
| Team Name | Project Name | Team Members |
|---|---|---|
| Brown Brothers Harriman (BBH) | Exploring and Validating Fintech Startup Opportunities |