INVESTOPIA: THE FINANCIAL WORLD - EMPOWERING MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS TO THINK LIKE YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS

At INVESTOPIA: The Financial World, students go beyond learning financial concepts in the classroom. Through a hands-on startup project centered around eco-friendly bamboo straws, they experience the journey of building and running a business while developing financial literacy, entrepreneurial thinking, and a strong sense of social responsibility.

Learning Finance Through Real-World Experience

What gives a product its value? How does a simple idea grow into a successful business? And how can young people make thoughtful financial decisions while creating a positive impact on society?

These are the questions students explore in INVESTOPIA: The Financial World - a summer programme jointly developed by Him Lam International School – Bac Ninh and ATC Academy for middle school students.

Built around an experiential learning approach, the programme transforms students into young entrepreneurs who design, develop, and manage their own startup projects, allowing them to connect financial concepts with real-world business practice.

Building the Foundation: "Build the Team"

The programme officially began with the "Build the Team" challenge, led by Mr. Vu Van Dinh, a Financial Management Expert, ACCA Lecturer, and co-author of the ACCA Vietnam curriculum with over 12 years of professional and teaching experience in accounting and finance.

Working in teams, students explored how businesses are formed, discovered the responsibilities of different roles within an organization, and built the foundations of their own startup companies. Through collaboration and discussion, they also strengthened communication, teamwork, and decision-making skills in a dynamic learning environment.

Creating a Business with Purpose

A distinctive feature of INVESTOPIA: The Financial World is that students work on a meaningful business project centered around eco-friendly bamboo straws.

Throughout the programme, they will conduct market research, identify customer needs, develop product ideas, calculate costs, create pricing strategies, and design business plans for bringing their products to market.

Beyond understanding how businesses generate value, students are encouraged to consider the broader social and environmental impact of entrepreneurship. By connecting business innovation with sustainability, the programme nurtures responsible leadership and prepares students to become globally minded citizens committed to creating positive change.

A Four-Level Entrepreneurial Journey

Students progress through four carefully designed stages that mirror the journey of launching a real startup:

• Level 1 - Build the Team: Understand how a business is formed and establish an effective startup team.

• Level 2 - Find the Problem: Research customers, identify market needs, and develop innovative product ideas.

• Level 3 - Make It Profitable: Learn about cost management, pricing strategies, and sustainable business models.

• Level 4 - Run the Business: Operate the startup, evaluate financial performance, and deliver an investor pitch presentation.

Each stage encourages students to apply knowledge through authentic experiences, helping them develop confidence and practical business skills.

Preparing Future-Ready Learners

Beyond financial and business knowledge, INVESTOPIA: The Financial World equips students with essential competencies for the future.

Throughout the programme, students strengthen financial literacy, entrepreneurial thinking, leadership, teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and presentation skills. By engaging in a project that promotes environmental sustainability, they also develop a deeper understanding of responsible citizenship and ethical decision-making.

More than a summer programme, INVESTOPIA: The Financial World is an opportunity for students to discover their potential, cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset, and build the confidence, resilience, and global competencies needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.