Inspiration
We were inspired by the challenges many people face in breaking down complex financial goals into manageable steps, particularly people with ADHD. Often, financial planning feels overwhelming and lacks the motivation needed to stay on track. The concept of visual progress and gamification sparked the idea for BloomBonsai, a platform where users can manage their financial goals while growing a digital bonsai tree as they complete tasks. By integrating creativity with financial literacy and technology, BloomBonsai transforms the mundane process of goal-setting into an engaging and rewarding experience.
What it does
BloomBonsai helps users effectively manage their financial goals by combining AI-powered task planning, 3D visualization, and decentralized storage. Using AI, the platform breaks down large financial objectives—such as buying a car, planning a wedding, or managing credit—into actionable subtasks. As users complete these subtasks, they grow a unique bonsai tree, providing a visual representation of their progress. The garden grid showcases completed financial goals, offering an overview of their achievements. The platform also utilizes decentralized storage with Base Layer 2 and IPFS to securely store financial metadata and enable goal sharing. Additionally, users can track incomplete tasks, prioritize objectives, and monitor their progress toward larger financial milestones.
How we built it
BloomBonsai was built using a diverse and powerful tech stack. The frontend was developed with React Native to create a responsive user interface, while Three.js rendered interactive 3D bonsai trees. OpenAI’s API powered the financial planning feature, generating relevant tasks and subtasks based on user-defined goals. Hunyuan3D 2.0 generated realistic bonsai tree visuals that dynamically reflected user progress. On the backend, Base Layer 2 was used for securely storing financial metadata on-chain, and IPFS provided decentralized goal-sharing capabilities. Smart contracts were integrated to enable future microtransactions, which could incentivize users for reaching financial milestones.
Challenges we ran into
Throughout the development process, we encountered several challenges. Integrating Three.js and Hunyuan3D 2.0 to render 3D bonsai trees in a smooth and visually appealing manner required significant optimization. Implementing decentralized storage with Base Layer 2 and IPFS involved navigating the complexities of Web3, including transaction latency and structuring financial metadata effectively. Customizing OpenAI’s API to generate accurate financial subtasks required meticulous prompt engineering to meet the needs of diverse users. Additionally, coordinating the efforts of team members across different time zones posed logistical challenges, which we overcame through consistent communication and collaborative tools.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
We are proud to have successfully combined AI, Web3, and 3D visualization into a cohesive, functional application. Our team created a user-friendly and visually engaging interface that motivates users through gamification. The implementation of a secure, decentralized system for managing financial goals marks a significant accomplishment. Furthermore, we are thrilled to have submitted BloomBonsai to the fintech HackNYU category, demonstrating its potential in both generative AI and FinTech innovation.
What we learned
Developing BloomBonsai taught us the importance of collaboration and leveraging diverse technologies to achieve a common goal. We gained valuable experience working with decentralized systems like Base Layer 2 and IPFS, deepening our understanding of Web3 applications in personal finance. Implementing OpenAI’s API for goal-oriented task breakdowns provided us with insights into generative AI. Additionally, integrating gamification mechanics, such as bonsai tree growth, showed us how visual feedback can significantly enhance user engagement and motivation.
What's next for BloomBons.ai
Looking ahead, we aim to expand BloomBonsai with several enhancements. We plan to introduce more customization options for financial goals, including budgeting, debt tracking, and loan payment features. Gamification will be further developed with badges, streaks, and rewards for achieving milestones. To reach a wider audience, we will focus on cross-platform support for both web and mobile devices. Financial milestone incentives will be enabled through Base Layer 2 microtransactions, and social features will allow users to share their bonsai gardens with friends for accountability. Lastly, we envision integrating AI-driven insights to provide personalized financial advice, further empowering users to achieve their financial dreams. BloomBonsai represents a unique fusion of financial literacy, technology, and creative motivation, providing an engaging platform for users to achieve their goals while visualizing their progress.
Built With
- blender
- hunyuan3d
- ipfs
- javascript
- mongodb
- next.js
- openai-api
- pinata
- react
- shadcn-ui
- tailwind
- three.js
- typescript
- web3
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