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Brian Curcio is the visionary behind Rapunzl, an EdTech game-changer reshaping financial education. Brian’s inspiring journey, from launching Rapunzl in a college dorm room to securing a 3 million dollar investment from the owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, exemplifies his unwavering dedication to empowering students through financial literacy.
Your Why
I believe that students from underserved communities face an opportunity gap. With Rapunzl, we aim to fix that with educational content accessible to anyone. By ensuring that all of our programming remains permissionless, we can provide every student with equitable access to high-quality financial literacy materials that foster independent learning and outstanding student outcomes.
Your Background
I was raised in Chicago by two investment bankers who emphasized the importance of community and financial literacy at an early age. Throughout high school, I volunteered at a school for at-risk youth, tutoring students and gaining firsthand experience with the institutional and systemic barriers facing students from underserved communities. I began interning in finance in 2011, my junior year of high school, and it transformed my world. I was hooked. When I arrived at Amherst College in 2013, it was shocking to learn more about the disparity between what was being taught about finance in school and what I had learned at home and through various internships.
A fire had been lit: how could we make a high-quality financial education program equitable, sustainable, and accessible for all students? I reconnected with my long-time high school friend, Myles Gage, and Rapunzl was born in my senior year.
What Is Rapunzl?
https://rapunzlinvestments.com/
Rapunzl is a gamified education platform transforming how we teach kids about money. Rapunzl allows any school to implement a robust, standards-aligned financial education program. Students simulate real-time portfolios, access an integrated curriculum, and compete in a national scholarship competition. Rapunzl, recognized as a 2022 Yass Prize Finalist, has already impacted 100,000 high school students nationwide and distributed over $300,000 in scholarships. This past year, my partner and I were recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30 and we’re rapidly growing to more schools.
The name Rapunzl, is an analogy borne from the reality that many people view the world of investing and the returns of Wall Street as something inaccessible. That’s where Rapunzl comes in: rolling down the hair and providing equitable access to financial markets and scholarship opportunities.
Your Ah Hah Moment!
When we launched Rapunzl, we spent a month driving to over 150 high schools, teaching more than 2,000 students during the day, and coding the app at night.
We knew we were onto something when our first scholarship winner, Destiny Davis, was invited to ring the opening bell at Nasdaq’s market site, received an internship on Wall Street, and enrolled in University instead of enlisting in the Army.
Why Is This So Important Right Now?
You can’t learn finance from a textbook. 27 states now require financial literacy to graduate high school, but curriculum options are extremely limited. We need to meet students where they already are – their smartphones – and provide a relevant, accessible, and engaging curriculum for middle and high school students, or else risk repeating the mistakes of history.
Any Parting Thoughts?
To date, we’ve worked with over 100,000 students and recently launched an Educator Dashboard available to school districts. We think this is only the beginning and need to do more to prepare the next generation to live financially independent futures.
High schoolers who study financial literacy are more likely to achieve financially stable careers, higher credit scores, lower levels of debt, and save the US economy $150 billion annually. But when 47% of high schoolers do not discuss finance at home – and it isn’t taught in most schools – where will students learn to form positive financial habits?
To contribute to a thriving democracy, citizens need to understand what’s happening in the world around them; and since money makes the world go round, we need to teach people about financial markets, the world of money, and the importance of saving and investing for them to actively engage with stakeholders and participate as informed citizens.
Brian’s Contact Information
Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-curcio-91102157
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rapunzl-investing-llc
Website: https://www.rapunzl.com/
Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/Rapunzl_Invest
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rapunzl.Investing
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rapunzlinvestments/
Email: [email protected]
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I hope you enjoy the conversation with Brian Curcio on my virtual porch. As we were talking, I thought of what my children and I learned about financial education and what’s still not taught now in schools. I didn’t realize that 27 states require financial literacy to graduate. I’m curious about what they are teaching. After going through the awesome resources at Rapunzl, I am excited to share his story and what Rapunzl offers with you. I know you will enjoy learning about Brian’s amazing experiences as a young entrepreneur, his journey, and that you have access to his resources and contact information. Please share this podcast and the post with your friends.
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| Make sure you check out more of the Rethinking Learning podcasts and each post that the guests created. Click on this link or the logo below to list by episode, alphabetical, or reflections.
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I am a co-host of a new podcast “Real Talk with Barbara and Nicole.” Check out the episodes about Authenticity in a Polarized Society around different topics. Click on RealTalkBN or the logo below.
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I’m getting wonderful feedback on how much the information and stories in “Define Your Why” has helped them. For more information about this book, go to this page or click on the book for resources, questions, and links. |
My new book, “Grow Your Why…One Story at a Time” includes 23 stories from inspirational educators, innovators, and entrepreneurs. Go to this page or click on the book to go to Why Press Publishing for launching, details, and resources.
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