Research pilot · Supervised · Ethics-reviewed
Pot is a student-led research study looking at whether a simulated savings app can help people build a regular saving habit. This page explains what the study is, how it runs, and who is responsible for it.
All money in Pot is simulated. You cannot lose, win, or deposit real money — there is nothing to pay and nothing at financial risk. Taking part is free and entirely optional.
Pot presents saving as a light, game-like experience and measures whether that framing encourages people to save more consistently. Participants set a goal, make simulated deposits, and are entered into a weekly draw that also uses simulated entries. The research question is behavioural: does the format help people save?
The pilot is student-led, conducted under academic supervision, and has been through ethical review. It is run as part of a FinTech MSc, not as a commercial product.
Taking part is free and optional. There are no payments, no card details, and no real banking — every figure in the app is simulated. You can stop at any time, and you can withdraw your consent and request deletion of your data by emailing hello@wyndworks.com.
Joining during the pilot makes you a “Founding Member”. This is a cosmetic label only: it gives no advantage in entries, odds, or the draw.
The pilot is run by the researcher below. The supervisor name and ethics reference are being confirmed and will be published here.
We collect the minimum needed to run the study: your in-app interactions (simulated saving, games, and draw activity) and an age range to confirm you are 18+. We do not collect your real name, bank details, or any real money. The full Privacy Policy sets out exactly what is and isn’t collected, and how to request deletion.
The study follows a set of published commitments — data minimisation, informed consent, anti-manipulation, fairness, transparency, and gambling-harm signposting. You can read them on the Ethical Design & Research Principles page.
Pot uses no real money, but if real-world gambling or money worries affect you, free and confidential help is available.