About Blaze Institute
Dollarcraft: Digital Banking Launch Program is a 13-week interdisciplinary business research and business case challenge that will equip students with practical skills in financial innovation, digital payment systems, and entrepreneurship. Through mentorship, applied research, and a culminating Hackathon, students explore the future of money and develop real solutions to challenges faced by underserved communities. This program is implemented as an Experiential Learning Opportunity (ELO) — a credit-bearing course that bridges academic instruction with real-world application. Students form teams, identify gaps in the financial system, and prototype inclusive financial tools using open-source payment infrastructure supported by the Interledger Foundation. The program is jointly led by: - Alabama A&M’s College of Business and Public Affairs - Alabama A&M’s College of Engineering, Technology & Physical Sciences - Blaze Group® Together, we combine business insight, technical skill, and social impact strategy to deliver a hands-on innovation experience.
Curriculum Overview
- Week 1 | Program Syllabus
- Blaze Institute Platform Overview
Thu, Jan 15, 2026
- Week 1 | Assignment A
- Week 1 | Assignment B
Fri, Jan 16, 2026
- FinTech Foundations (Fall 2025 Class Slides)
- 50 Trends in User-Centric Fintech Design
- Course Manual 1.1: Belief Exploration
- Course Manual 1.2: Alignment Evaluation
- Course Manual 1.3: Self-Reflection
- Course Manual 1.4: Challenging Assumptions
- Course Manual 1.5: Data Collection Methodologies
- Course Manual 1.6: Solution Co-Creation
- Course Manual 1.7: Value Additions
- Course Manual 1.8: Partnerships Opportunities
- Course Manual 1.9: Technological Innovation
- Course Manual 1.10: Change Agency
- Course Manual 1.11: Continuous Learning and Development
- Course Manual 1.12: Training Resources
Tue, Jan 20, 2026
- Week 2 | Program Syllabus
- Week 2 | Assignment A
Thu, Jan 22, 2026
- Week 2 | Assignment B
- Course Manual 2.1: Ethical Expansion
- Course Manual 2.2: Research Methods
- Course Manual 2.3: Cultural Dynamics
- Course Manual 2.4: Data Analysis
- Course Manual 2.5: Client-Centric Deign
- Course Manual 2.6: Inclusive Accessibility
- Course Manual 2.7: Regional Regulations
- Course Manual 2.8: Global Standards
- Course Manual 2.9: Risk Mitigation
- Course Manual 2.10: Strategic Partnerships
- Course Manual 2.11: Impact Metrics
- Course Manual 2.12: Framework Development
Mon, Jan 26, 2026
- Week 3 | Assignment A
Tue, Jan 27, 2026
- Week 3 | Program Syllabus
- Week 3 | Class Activity
Thu, Jan 29, 2026
- Course Manual 3.1: UCD Introduction
- Course Manual 3.2: User Research
- Course Manual 3.3: User Personas
- Course Manual 3.4: Inclusive Design
- Course Manual 3.5: Financial Literacy
- Course Manual 3.6: Behavioral Design
- Course Manual 3.7: UX/UI Design
- Course Manual 3.8: Testing and Iteration
- Course Manual 3.9: User-Centric Marketing
- Course Manual 3.10: Culturally-Responsive Design
- Course Manual 3.11: Design Ethics
- Course Manual 3.12: User-Centric Culture
Tue, Feb 3, 2026
- Week 4 | Program Syllabus
- Week 4 | Assignment A
Group Discussion
This program is connected to a group. You’ll be added once you join the program.
