食色视频

KENNESAW, Ga. | Apr 4, 2025

David Ripley, a computer science major with a focus on cybersecurity, took home first place and a $2,000 prize at 食色视频鈥檚 Future of Payments Pitch Competition. His innovative concept aimed at addressing the darker side of sports betting impressed the judges and provided a responsible alternative that promotes financial well-being.

鈥淢y inspiration came from a mix of personal observation and an eye-opening documentary about sports betting,鈥� Ripley shared. 鈥淎 lot of people underestimate the damage that sports gambling causes, and I wanted to explore a potential solution.鈥�

Winning the competition not only validated his idea but also provided tangible support for his academic journey. 鈥淭he $2,000 prize is a huge relief,鈥� said Ripley. 鈥淚t鈥檒l help cover my final year of college and I鈥檒l have more time to focus on developing this idea further.鈥�

The seminar, held at 食色视频, provided students with a platform to showcase their innovative ideas through the Future of Payments Pitch Competition. Sponsored by The Coles College of Business, The Georgia Fintech Academy, and MJV Innovations, the competition challenged students to develop digital payment solutions aimed at enhancing financial literacy and security.

Michael Salazar鈥檚 idea took a different approach, leveraging gamification to make financial literacy more engaging. His pitch emphasized how interactive learning can empower individuals to take charge of their finances.

鈥淪eeing how gamification has worked for language learning and coding, I realized it could be a powerful tool for financial education as well,鈥� Salazar said.

Although he finished as the runner-up, Salazar still found tremendous value in the experience. 鈥淚t was a fantastic networking opportunity, and I gained insights from industry professionals that broadened my perspective,鈥� said Salazar. His advice to future competitors? 鈥淭ake the leap and go for it. You never know what opportunities will come from putting yourself out there.鈥�

Khawaja Saeed, associate dean of undergraduate programs at the Coles College of Business, emphasized the significance of the pitch competition in providing real-world experiences to students.

鈥淎 key aspect of our strategy is to expand experiential learning opportunities. Competitions like this allow students to tackle real challenges in the payments industry, equipping them with the skills needed for success,鈥� Saeed said.

The event also highlighted the crucial role of industry partnerships. 鈥淕eorgia FinTech and MJV were instrumental in shaping this competition. Their involvement, from selecting topics to mentoring finalists, helped bridge the gap between academia and the fintech sector, ensuring students are job ready.鈥�

Saeed was particularly impressed by the engagement from both industry professionals and the audience. 鈥淪everal professionals told me they were most excited about the pitch competition, and the audience response reflected that,鈥� said Saeed. 鈥淭he finalists presented strong, innovative ideas, one using crypto incentives for financial education and another reimagining sports gambling to encourage better savings habits.鈥�

In addition to the pitch competition, the seminar featured expert panels on AI and automation in digital payments, future trends in fintech, and career networking opportunities with leaders from Atlanta-area fintech firms. A live demonstration by Ingenico showcased cutting-edge payment solutions, further immersing students in the evolving landscape of financial technology.

For students like Ripley and Salazar, the Future of Payments Pitch Competition was more than just an academic exercise. It provided a valuable opportunity to gain industry insights, sharpen their presentation skills, and take steps toward bringing their ideas to life.