FinTech: The Future of Finance

On-Campus: June 30 - July 11 Summer 2025.

Applications are CLOSED for Summer 2025.

Pre-register for 2026

WHY THIS SUMMER PROGRAM?
 

• Created and taught by leading professors and FinTech experts.
• Master techniques and methods that will enable you to stay ahead in this rapidly changing industry and assert yourself as a competent financial partner.
• Understand the disruption points in the financial industry and the shift from traditional banking models
• Designed both for participants specializing in finance and students willing to expand industry knowledge.
• Work with passionate minds from around the world to explore disruptive solutions that will shape the future of finance.
• HEC Paris expertise in Finance: award-winning programs, number one Masters in Finance 2024 (Financial Times).

Overview
 

In recent years, significant trends (“mega-forces”) have been reshaping the finance industry, influencing the way financial services operate. These changes are driven by three main factors:

-    Technological disruption, with the exponential development of AI in finance (both generative and quantitative) and cryptocurrencies.
-    Structural change, driven by increasing uncertainty and geopolitical fragmentation.
-    Increased competition from non-banking players (fintechs and decentralized finance), challenging the central role of banks in the financial sector.
 

This intensive summer program will prepare participants for careers in the financial industry by equipping them to navigate the challenges of this rapidly changing world, particularly by familiarizing them with new financial technologies: AI and decentralized finance.  Participants will learn how to adapt to the technological industry revolution and its consequences, with new stakeholders emerging rapidly across every continent. The summer program takes participants on a journey into FinTech entrepreneurship and even startup launching.

Drawing on the deep expertise of fintech leaders, traditional banking executives, researchers, and Decentralized Finance specialists, the program’s curriculum blends core principles with practical, real-world applications. Participants will develop a comprehensive understanding of the evolving financial landscape, including the integration of technology in traditional finance, emerging fintech business models, and specific applications such as AI in finance (both generative and quantitative) and Decentralized Finance. This holistic approach will enable them to identify key challenges and opportunities across the fintech ecosystem.

Through ready-to-use tools as well as a practical knowledge base, participants will be able to apply their knowledge across the fintech spectrum, from building new Portfolio Management and allocation systems to understanding how to create a quantitative VC.

Coursework covers the following topics: (1) Overview of the Financial Industry, (2) Shifting from traditional banks to FinTech (3) Quantitative and Generative AI in Finance, (4) Bitcoin & Decentralized Finance, (5) Entrepreneurship & Startups in the Fintech Industry

In addition to a 21-hour focus on the fundamentals, participants will attend several interactive sessions with professionals from the field of Investment Banking and Corporate Finance. Leading speakers, who may include CEOs, asset managers or strategists, will interact with participants about their recent fund launches.

Learning outcomes

Participants will master the main pillars of the FinTech business model, fundraising and the FinTech impact on the current finance industry.

Upon successful completion of the summer program, participants will specifically be able to:

• Conceptualize and evaluate disruptive FinTech solutions addressing real-world financial challenges
• Create a basic AI Agent in Finance
• Understand the basics of Quantitative Analysis
• Understand how Generative AI is reshaping the Finance industry
• Understand the shift from the traditional banking model to FinTech models
• Get a holistic view of the challenges and risks faced by the FinTech industry and master the keys to tackle them
• Implement & optimize DeFi strategies
• Optimize FinTech performance and internal rate of return for investors
• Gain confidence in exchanging with FinTech managers, CEOs, board members …
• Differentiate various FinTech business models
• Minimize risks when investing in FinTech
• Communicate with main stakeholders in Finance

Pre-requisites

All core concepts will be explained during the class. There is no formal prerequisite for attendance. As the program focuses on recent, real-life case studies, students with a background in economics, corporate finance and accounting, are welcome and will also benefit most from the course. Students who do not have this experience may wish to consider the Corporate Finance Program offered in Session 1 of the Summer School.

Assessment

Assessment is based on project-work prepared in groups. These group projects will focus on analyzing and understanding disruption points in the financial industry and developing disruptive solutions to address them. Several groups will be invited to present their work to the full class. Individual participation throughout the program can lead to a grading bonus.

Participants who successfully complete the program will earn 5 ECTS credits.

All students who are seeking credit are encouraged to consult their home academic institution to validate credit transfer.