Fairness by Design
Tech Sprint
Powered by Consumers.
Built by Experts.
Made for real life.
APRIL 29-30, 2026
đź“ŤATLANTA, GA
+ VIRTUAL (for Consumers)
Consumers are running into the same problems again and again: not
understanding how their data is used, not knowing what’s real, and
being left on their own when something goes wrong.
These are the
moments we’re asking teams to solve.
Data transparency & control
How
might we design systems where people understand what’s
happening – and have real control over it?
Verification & recovery
How
might we help people know what’s real and support them
when things go wrong?
What is the Fairness by Design Tech Sprint?
The Fairness by Design Tech Sprint is a two-day working session where small, cross-functional teams come together to improve how digital financial tools can best serve their users.
Teams will focus on real moments where things feel confusing, unfair, or hard to navigate for people – like not understanding how data is used, not knowing whether something is legitimate, or not knowing what to do when something goes wrong.
This isn’t about launching a new product or building something flashy. It’s about exploring practical ideas that show what fairer, more trustworthy digital financial systems could look like.
How You Can Participate
Consumers are invited to contribute at every stage: you can share your experience through surveys and discussion groups, provide feedback as ideas take shape, help evaluate final concepts on Demo Day – or all of the above! Your input keeps the work grounded in real-life experiences.
Builders collaborate in cross-functional teams to develop consumer-facing concepts or prototypes that address the problems identified by members. You bring practical experience in product, design, and engineering to help shape ideas that are both ambitious and achievable.
What is Fairness by Design?
Who should participate?
Builders and Consumers play distinct but equally important roles throughout the sprint:
Builders
Who you are
Product Managers, Designers, Engineers,
Researchers, and others working in or around digital finance.
What you’ll do
âś… Work on a small,
cross-functional team
âś… Design a consumer-facing concept or
prototype
âś… Engage with consumer consultants
âś… Present a
short demo and fairness rationale
Consumers
Who you are
People with lived experience
using financial apps, platforms, or services. No technical
background required.
What you’ll do
As a Consultant:
âś… Share experiences and
reactions in consultation
sessions
âś… Evaluate final concepts from a consumer
perspective
As a Public Observer:
âś… Attend Demo Day (virtually or in person) and vote for
the best designs
âś… Hear directly from Builders and Experts in a post-demo discussion and Q&A
All participants can expect clear structure and support,
respectful,
purpose-driven collaboration, and a focus on
real-world consumer needs.
Where digital finance is falling short
The growth of digital fintech has reshaped how consumers manage money and what they expect from financial tools. As reliance on digital solutions grows, persistent gaps in design and trust leave many feeling confused, exposed, or left behind.
We’re hearing from consumers who struggle with:
• unclear data collection and sharing practices
• decisions they can’t understand or challenge
• difficulty verifying what’s legitimate
• confusing or limited options when something goes wrong
These experiences don’t just cause frustration – they erode trust in the systems people depend on.
How participants are selected
We’re bringing together a small, diverse group of Builders and Consumers to make sure the sprint reflects a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and skills. Our goal is not to find “the best” résumés or the loudest voices, but to create balanced teams that can collaborate effectively, learn from one another, and focus on real consumer needs. Space is limited, so we may not be able to include everyone who applies – but all applications help inform our research and future work.
Join us in building a future where fairness, trust, and consumer voice are designed from the start.
Key
Details
Dates: April 29-30,
2026
Location: Atlanta, GA + Virtual (for
Consumers)
Time Commitment
Builders:
virtual kick-off + two full days in-person
Consumers:
scheduled consultation sessions
APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED: April 10, 2026