Students will investigate how financial markets and investment decisions affect economic opportunities in Sheffield, MA by conducting trend analysis, empathy interviews, and community-based observations. They will ground their entrepreneurial thinking in real customer evidence to identify validated financial literacy and investment-related opportunity areas.

Students will synthesize empathy research into a validated financial problem statement connected to real investment challenges in Southern Berkshire County, define a clear customer segment, and confirm the urgency and impact of the problem through additional customer interviews and financial market analysis.

Students will generate multiple investment venture concepts grounded in validated community needs, evaluate them using customer and financial evidence, and design a value proposition canvas that clearly aligns customer pains and gains with a diversified portfolio-based solution for Sheffield, MA.

Students will build a minimum viable prototype of their Sheffield-focused investment portfolio concept, test it with real potential users in Southern Berkshire County, document quantitative and qualitative feedback, and iterate or pivot based on evidence before moving to final business model and financial projections.

Students will synthesize their validated community investment venture into a financially viable business model and present their diversified portfolio proposal to local financial professionals in Southern Berkshire County, demonstrating evidence-based reasoning, financial projections, and responsiveness to feedback.