GrowFi

Headline

GrowFi: Gamified Financial Literacy With Real-World Impact

Inspiration

There are around 24 million unbanked or underbanked adults in the US. Many students graduate without understanding basics like budgeting, credit, or investing.
We built GrowFi to close this gap. Our platform teaches financial skills through interactive modules, rewards, and real-world outcomes like microcredit scoring.

What it does

GrowFi is a gamified financial literacy platform with a built-in chatbot powered by the Gemini API.

Core features

🎯 Goal tracking: Set savings or budgeting goals (e.g., save $500 in 3 months).
📊 Dashboards: Visualize progress on goals and modules.
📚 Interactive modules & quizzes: Teach financial concepts in an engaging way.
🤖 Chatbot tutor: Provides financial knowledge and answers in real time.
🐸 Mascot evolution: Tadpole → Froglet → Young Frog → Wise Frog, tied to XP progression.

How we built it

🏗️ Tech Stack

Frontend: React 18, TypeScript, Vite, JavaScript, CSS, HTML
Backend: Node.js, Express.js
Database: MongoDB Atlas
AI: Gemini API

🎮 Core Features Built

Gamification System
• Points & XP: Award system for completing lessons and activities
• Level Progression: Tadpole → Froglet → Young Frog → Wise Frog
• Streak Tracking: Daily engagement rewards
• Achievement System: Unlockable badges and milestones

Financial Tracking
• User Profiles: Income, employment status, credit scores
• Microcredit Scoring: Algorithm-based eligibility (0-100 scale)
• Progress Monitoring: Module completion tracking
• Goals System: Savings targets and financial objectives

🔧 Development Phases

MongoDB integration
- User schema with 15+ fields
- API endpoints for user management and XP tracking
User system
- Profiles, goal tracking, microcredit scoring
- Points and achievement badges
Simplification
- Removed Auth0
- Username-based login system
Gamification engine
- Points, streaks, badges
- Mascot progression

Challenges we ran into

Database Connection & Authentication Complexity
• Challenge: Initially had Auth0 integration that created authentication barriers
• Problem: Complex user identification system (auth0Id) made development slower
• Solution: Simplified to username-based system while preserving all user data functionality
• Impact: Made app more accessible and development more agile
Comprehensive User Data Management
• Challenge: Storing diverse user data (financial, gamification, progress, verification)
• Problem: MongoDB Map fields with mixed data types causing validation errors
• Solution: Careful schema design with proper string keys, nested objects, and validation rules
• Result: Successfully tracks 15+ data points per user seamlessly
Real-time Progress Tracking
• Challenge: Creating a system that feels personal and responsive to user actions
• Problem: Static progress indicators don't motivate continued engagement
• Solution: Built dynamic XP system with instant feedback, level progression, and visual rewards
• Innovation: Tadpole → Frog evolution creates emotional connection to growth