600 students from 80+ schools across 28 boroughs in London came together to compete, learn, and rise to the challenge in what has become the UK’s leading e-sports financial literacy event.  

The Money Wise Challenge London 2024 was organised by Dot Dot Fire with the charity sponsorship of The London Foundation for Banking & Finance and venue sponsorship from ExCeL London, and gratefully supported by volunteers from Barking and Dagenham College, Bouygues Construction, Glencar, Higgins Group, The Hill Group, Mountanvil, Reliable Contractors and Newham London. At Dot Dot Fire we aim to equip young people with the money management skills to succeed in real life, learning through an innovative money simulation game.  

The Money Wise Challenge featured three rounds of Dot Dot Fire’s award-winning Money Wise Game, awarded the Lord Mayor's Dragon Award for Leadership in Financial Literacy 2023 and ranked Top 2 Educational Mobile Games, above Kahoot and Minecraft Education. Student's preparing themselves for the life simulation games ahead 

Amid the ongoing cost of living crisis, the competition was set in a futuristic City of London, 3050, where three powerful villains—Inflation, Debt, and Unemployment where unleashing chaos on its citizens. Students were tasked to defeat the villains in the life simulation game, testing their knowledge on how to manage personal budgets, avoid debt traps, and stay afloat during periods of economic instability.  But it wasn’t just the students who faced the pressure this time —our corporate guests took part in Round 2: tackling the theme of Unemployment with the students. This special segment created a space for cross-generational money learning, where both students and adults could engage, compete, and learn from each other.  

Sponsors and Advocates tackling Round 2: Unemployment, of the finance game. Photo by Liz Isles Photography. 

Our guest speaker, Shelley Doorey-Williams, Chief Executive of The London Foundation for Banking and Finance, commended Dot Dot Fire's innovative money game in addressing the growing financial concerns amongst young people, and in “using gamification and fun as a way to help to improve financial literacy”.  

As the competition drew to a close, the suspense in the room grew. You could feel the energy rise as students waited to eagerly to hear if their school had won. Our Y5-6 winning team, Harbinger Primary School, reflected on how the money simulation game prepares them for adult life: "It really helped all of us understand things about the real world and we can use this information when we have to actually deal with money ourselves without our parents help."  

London Islamic School outstanding financial skills showed as they took home 3 awards. The teacher for their Y7-9 winning team, expressed how "it's not just winning the event itself. It's making a life change afterwards, using that knowledge". 

St Barnabas and St Philips CE Primary School students celebrating their 3rd Place win! Photo by Liz Isles Photography. 

The Money Wise Challenge 2024 showcased the importance of building financial resilience early, while also encouraging a sense of community and mentorship.  

• 86% of students feel confident in money after attending the Money Wise Challenge. 

• 100% of teachers would like to teach financial literacy more regularly in the classroom, after attending the Money Wise Challenge.   

Thanks to the support from our sponsors and advocates, this event was not just a competition—it was a crucial milestone in helping the next generation prepare for the world of money and finance. The future is indeed bright, with these talented, financially savvy students ready to take on whatever challenges the world throws their way.