Discover the Digital Transformation of Financial Services

For entrepreneurs, digital disruptions in financial markets are creating opportunities for growth and financial gain. Financial technologies, like cryptocurrencies and blockchain, are among the innovations that are changing payment processing, investing, and financial services. Explore how these entrepreneurial disruptors are capturing revenue, democratizing access, and impacting economies the worldover. Thinking of one day launching your own business in finance or technology? Start here.

Program Dates

Multi-length courses available throughout the year

Eligibility

For students ages 13 and up

Fees

$1495

Understand the Entrepreneurial World of Fintech

Learn the Fine Points of Financial Services

Delve into traditional financial services: lending, credit, and investment advisory. Discover how the 2008 financial crisis brought about entrepreneurial innovations like financial technologies (fintech), data science, and internet banking.

Discover How Entrepreneurs Have Disrupted Payments and Money Transfers

Ecommerce has the potential for disruption. Learn the role of the federal bank. See how blockchain technologies work. Review case studies on Paypal, Venmo, and Apple Pay.

Study How Lending is Being Transformed

Understand the vulnerabilities of traditional lending, how debt-to-income ratio is calculated, and areas of disruption in digital lending, credit enhancement, and student loans. 

See How Entrepreneurs are Disrupting With Fintech

Learn how brokerage companies manage investments. Discover how automation through algorithms and robo-advising engines make investment choices fast. Consider the regulatory issues and pitfalls encountered by entrepreneurial startup Robinhood.

Explore the New Frontier of Cryptocurrencies and Blockchain

We’ve seen the volatility with blockchain, particularly cryptocurrencies. How do these new tech models work? Review case studies and learn the volatility and regulations that define fintech.

Learn About Potential Careers in Business

Topics in this course reveal careers available to those interested in entrepreneurship around fintech. Some professions include: startup entrepreneur, blockchain developer, financial analyst, compliance expert, and cybersecurity analyst.

How You Will Benefit

  • Gain insights on how entrepreneurs create and adopt fintech to earn money and provide new customer experiences.
  • Be able to analyze key disruptors, such as PayPal, Lending Club, Square, and others.
  • Learn how these fintech disruptors work and how they fuel startup businesses.
  • Understand how fintech companies target their customer base and promote their brands.
  • Review case studies to understand the various technologies, and how they are used by entrepreneurs to deliver financial solutions.
  • Earn a Certificate of Completion from Rice University.

Teenage boy working on a computer

Three Learning Advantages Designed for You

Capstone Project

Create a simple business plan for an entrepreneurial fintech product or service. Consider the size of your potential market, revenue, annual spending, and the technology you are recommending.

Choose from two options:

  • Option 1: Describe a solution, product, or service of your own that you'd like to develop.
  • Option 2: Pick an existing fintech company and add your offering.

Mentoring

You’ll receive guidance from a mentor who can support you and deepen your learning experience. You can expect:

  • Encouragement and direction on all assignments. 
  • Inspiration, motivation, and confidence to help you excel in your studies. 
  • Brainstorming and ideation to help you prepare for your capstone project.

Flexible Learning

  • 100% online learning that works with your schedule.
  • Flexible format: you’ll learn through video lectures that allow you to tune in anytime that works for you.
  • 20-30 hours of total instruction and course work, 
  • Tech-forward interactions, including engaging multimedia, real-life simulations, and curated assignments.
  • Guidance and support from mentors.

Apply Now for the Next Available Course

April 7 - May 5

Entrepreneurship: From Ideas to Impact in FinTech

Length: 4 weeks

Cost: $1,495.00

Application Deadline: Sunday, March 31, 2024

May 5 - June 2

Entrepreneurship: From Ideas to Impact in FinTech

Length: 4 weeks

Cost: $1,495.00

Application Deadline: Sunday, April 28, 2024

May 19 - June 2

Entrepreneurship: From Ideas to Impact in FinTech

Length: 2 weeks

Cost: $1,495.00

Application Deadline: Sunday, May 12, 2024

All course options have the same educational content, learning materials, and number of assignments. We are offering a condensed version of the course in order to accommodate students’ individual schedules.

Manolo Sanchez

Course Designed by Rice University Faculty


Professor Manolo Sanchez

Adjunct Professor in Management - Operations Management, Rice University

Professor Sanchez teaches courses to MBA and executive MBA students on digital disruption in finance, leveraging 20+ years of banking leadership experience. He is a director at Fannie Mae, Stewart Information Systems, and BanCoppel, after serving as chairman and CEO of BBVA Compass for 10 years. Manolo currently serves as an advisor to several fintech and blockchain start-ups, including SpringLabs, Securitize, and Topi. During his 27-year career in banking, he worked in the U.S., Mexico, France, and Spain.

Meet Your Mentors

Rice University Precollege Program Entrepreneurship Course Mentor, Marcus

Marcus

Currently a graduate student in Experimental Psychology as well as a Neuroscience researcher. Teaching assistant for Research Methods and Statistics course.

Rice University Precollege Program Entrepreneurship Course Mentor, Mariza

Mariza

Holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice and a Master’s degree in Fashion Studies. Her research explores the intersection of design, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

Rice University Precollege Online Program Entrepreneurship Course Mentor, Jenn

Jenn

Undergraduate Rice University student working towards a B.A. in Business and Sociology.

Want to Know More?

Sign up for more information and we’ll be in touch.

Admissions

Our application process is easy. You can expect a prompt decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

How will you be graded? What are assignments like? How much time do you have to turn around a project? When do you find out if you’re admitted? Find answers to your questions here.

Scholarships

We offer need-based scholarships in each cohort to students exhibiting high potential and an inability to pay full tuition. If you would like to be considered for a scholarship but you:

  • Haven’t applied to the program, complete your application now. The scholarship application is included.
  • Applied to the program and didn’t fill out a scholarship request, resume your application and click “Apply for Scholarship”.
  • Are unsure about whether or not you applied for a scholarship, reach out to us at support@precollege.rice.edu for assistance.