PRS Investor Pipeline Program | Project Real Solutions Youth Development

About Project Real Solutions Youth Development

Project Real Solutions Youth Development is a Rochester, NY-based nonprofit committed to empowering young people through education, mentorship, career readiness, and financial empowerment, serving historically underrepresented youth in Monroe County. The Investor Pipeline Program is its most advanced offering, responding directly to the financial literacy and capital access gaps facing Rochester's 16–22 year-old population.

Ages Served

16–22

Format

Classroom-Based

Defining Feature

Embedded In-Classroom Mentors

Program Purpose

A structured, classroom-based initiative developing investment-literate, entrepreneurship-ready young adults ages 16–22. The program launches in February: 12 classroom sessions across 12 weeks, twice per week during alternating active weeks, giving students time between sessions for independent work, deliverable prep, and mentor check-ins — building toward the PRS Capital Challenge Pitch Competition at Session 12 in late April.

Target Outcomes

Improved financial literacy and investment knowledge, measured by pre/post assessment

Completed student business plan and investor pitch deck

Participation in the PRS Capital Challenge before a panel of Rochester investors

Connection to Rochester's investor, entrepreneurship, and community capital ecosystem

Post-program enrollment in the PRS Student Investment Club and 3-month alumni pipeline

Track placement in Higher Education, Workforce, or Entrepreneurship

Key Program Metrics at a Glance

The program's snapshot

Student Enrollment per Cohort	15–30 Students
Student Age Range	16–22
Program Duration	12 Weeks (February–April)
Total Classroom Sessions	12 Sessions
Active Teaching Weeks	6 Weeks (Every Other Week)
Sessions per Active Week	2 Sessions
Lesson Length	90–120 Minutes
Mentor Model	Embedded In-Classroom Instructors
Cohort Frequency	Quarterly (4 Cohorts/Year Capacity)
Post-Program Pipeline Duration	3 Months (May–July)
Location	Rochester, NY — Monroe County

Program Overview: Goals & Objectives

1

Build Financial Literacy Foundations

2

Develop Investment Knowledge and Competency

3

Cultivate Entrepreneurial Thinking and Business Development Skills

4

Prepare Students for Investor-Facing Pitch Presentations (coaching begins Session 9)

5

Connect Rochester Youth to the Local Investor Ecosystem

6

Establish a Sustainable Alumni and Investment Club Pipeline

7

Support Workforce and Economic Mobility for Rochester Youth Ages 16–22

Program Structure

The program is held at Freddie Thomas Middle School, 625 Scio Street, Rochester, NY. It is classroom-based with every-other-week delivery: sessions run twice a week, but only on active weeks. Off weeks are not gaps in programming — they're reserved for independent work, optional mentor check-ins, research, and pitch prep, and they let mentors (often working professionals) prepare without schedule conflicts.

Weeks 1–4

Foundation Phase

Sessions 1–4: Financial Literacy, Money Mindset, Introduction to Investing, Asset Classes

Weeks 5–8

Development Phase

Sessions 5–8: Business Modeling, Market Analysis, Investor Mindset, Deal Structures

Weeks 9–12

Execution Phase

Sessions 9–12: Pitch Development, Business Plan Drafting, Final Rehearsals, PRS Capital Challenge

Eligibility

Open to Rochester-area youth and local surrounding areas, ages 16–22, with genuine interest in financial literacy, entrepreneurship, or investing. No prior experience required.

Ages 16–17: require signed parental/guardian consent.

Ages 18–22: complete independent enrollment.

Core Curriculum Tracks

Financial Literacy Track

Personal finance, budgeting, credit, banking, compound interest, and wealth-building.

Business Development Track

Idea generation, value proposition, market analysis, competitive landscape, revenue modeling, and business plan writing.

Investment Strategy Track

Asset classes, stock/bond fundamentals, portfolio construction, risk/return, real estate basics, deal structures, and simplified term sheets.

Pitch & Presentation Track

Investor pitch structure, slide deck design, financial projection communication, public speaking, and panel Q&A.

Weekly Session Calendar

The program — February through late April

Week	Dates	Status	Focus
Week 1	Feb 2–6	CLASS	Sessions 1–2: Financial Literacy, Money Mindset, Personal Finance Basics
Week 2	Feb 9–13	OFF	Independent work / mentor check-in
Week 3	Feb 16–20	CLASS	Sessions 3–4: Introduction to Investing, Asset Classes, Stock Market Basics
Week 4	Feb 23–27	OFF	Independent work
Week 5	Mar 2–6	CLASS	Sessions 5–6: Business Modeling, Market Analysis, Value Proposition
Week 6	Mar 9–13	OFF	Business Model Canvas refinement / mentor review
Week 7	Mar 16–20	CLASS	Sessions 7–8: Investor Mindset, Deal Structures, Term Sheets
Week 8	Mar 23–27	OFF	Pitch outline begins / mentor pre-session coaching
Week 9	Apr 6–10	CLASS	Sessions 9–10: Pitch Development, Business Plan Drafting, Slide Deck Workshop
Week 10	Apr 13–17	OFF	Deck finalization / mentor 1:1 coaching / rehearsal prep
Week 11	Apr 21–25	CLASS	Session 11: Final Pitch Rehearsals & Session 12: PRS Capital Challenge Pitch Competition + Graduation

Total Calendar Weeks: 11 Active (CLASS) Weeks: 6 Off Weeks: 5 Total Sessions: 12 Culminating Event: PRS Capital Challenge, Session 12, Late April

Note on Off-Week Structure

Off weeks are intentional design, not gaps in programming — they're used for deliverable work, mentor check-ins, research, and pitch prep, and are tracked by the Mentorship Coordinator.

PRS Capital Challenge

Youth Investor Pitch Competition & Program Graduation Ceremony

Date & Setting

Held at Session 12, the final session of Week 11 in late April. It doubles as the program's culminating academic experience and graduation ceremony. The venue accommodates up to 75 attendees — students, judges, mentors, families, and staff.

Event Format

A single-day event where all program students present investor pitches before a panel of Rochester investor judges. It combines competitive pitches with graduation and alumni pipeline enrollment — all participants present, with no eliminations.

Pitch Format

A 5-minute pitch per presenter or team, followed by 3 minutes of judge Q&A. Slides are projected and a printed one-page executive summary is submitted to judges. Individual or team entries (up to 3 members). Required deck components: Problem Statement, Solution/Value Proposition, Market Opportunity, Business Model, Financial Projections (Year 1), Team Overview, and Call to Action/Ask.

Judging Panel

Rochester investor partners and selected in-classroom mentor-instructors, with at least one judge sought from the Rochester Angel Network for investor credibility.

Post-Competition Outcomes

1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards are given. All participants are enrolled in the 3-month post-program alumni pipeline beginning in May.

3-Month Post-Program Alumni Pipeline

The program doesn't end at graduation. All graduates enter a structured 3-month Post-Program Alumni Pipeline (May–July) designed to sustain momentum, deepen investor connections, and position each graduate for a defined long-term outcome. In-classroom mentors remain available as ongoing advisors throughout.

PRS Student Investment Club

The Alumni Engagement Vehicle (PSIC)

PSIC gives graduates ages 16–22 a structured, ongoing forum for deepening investment knowledge, practicing financial decision-making, building peer community, and connecting to Rochester's investor ecosystem — the primary post-program engagement vehicle for alumni. The club meets once or twice a month, in person at PRS facilities or an approved partner venue, supplemented by the PRS Alumni Portal; special meetings can be called by the President with 48-hour notice.