Jack Dorgan ‘26 recently earned first place at the DAC Next Gen High School Case Competition, an event designed to challenge young innovators to create and pitch original business ideas to a panel of real-world judges. The competition, held at the Detroit Athletic Club, welcomed students from across the region and raised $52,000 for C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.

In a fast-paced, one-day format, Jack and his team developed PointFi, a next-generation fintech solution built to help young people take control of their financial futures. PointFi integrates with online banking platforms and offers users a personalized, goal-based financial plan, supported by gamified learning and a point-based rewards system.

“Our idea was simple,” Jack said. “Make managing money something that feels achievable and even fun for younger people.”

As CEO of the team, Jack led fellow teammates Deven, Jack, and Sebastian in building and presenting the idea from the ground up. The team impressed a panel of judges with experience in finance, entrepreneurship, and technology, earning them top honors in the high school division.

“I’m proud to have worked alongside such a talented team,” Jack added. “Everyone brought creative ideas and a ton of energy. Getting that kind of recognition from experienced judges made the win even more meaningful.”

PointFi was built with Gen Z in mind, turning financial habits into a motivating journey. Users could set missions based on savings goals, earn rewards and badges for completing smart financial actions, and build better habits over time. The app also featured different pricing plans and a clear business model aimed at partnering with banks and fintech platforms.

In addition to the competition itself, the event featured keynotes by leaders such as Avery Hasenauer and Luanne Thomas Euwald from C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, and provided time for mentorship, networking, and hands-on learning.

“We used every tool available - mentors, AI, and research - and just gave it our best shot,” Jack said. “It was exciting to work in a fast-paced environment and present our idea to a panel of professionals.”

Catholic Central is proud to celebrate Jack’s leadership, innovation, and commitment to making a positive impact, both through his winning project and through the charitable support the event provided to C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.