Deadline: 8-May-22
Applications are now open for the Headstream Accelerator Program, an opportunity to become part of a movement dedicated to building inclusive technologies for young people.
Headstream is at the forefront of supporting entrepreneurs with digital innovations that transform the ways education, health, and social tech sectors prioritize the wellbeing of young people.
The goal of the Headstream Accelerator is to lead a digital evolution that rethinks the way they innovate, develop, and fund social technologies for young people. So far, they have supported 25 social tech, ed-tech, and digital health innovations to reach over 4 million young people and raise over $16 million.
The mission is to support entrepreneurs both as innovators and community builders while addressing the persistent racial and gender gap in access and inclusion.
Innovators Will Receive
- Participation in a five-month, primarily virtual program that includes a contextual learning curriculum, a personal advisory board, introductions to the network of 100+ funders, and technical support based on individual needs.
- The ability to showcase your work at an all-expense paid, multi-day, in-person closing event that will bring together the stakeholders who will help transform and advance your innovation.
- Exposure to many diverse youth audiences curated by Headstream. This includes two youth advisors who will sit on your advisory board and support your work throughout the Accelerator.
- A contextual curriculum delivered by the Headstream team and external experts focusing on youth co-creation, inclusive design, impact measurement, and founder wellness.
- Resources about alternative funding models and more sustainable ways to fundraise.
- Get early access to additional funding opportunities through Headstream’s network.
- Access to Headstream’s Impact Navigator tool built specifically to support entrepreneurs in understanding and measuring their impact.
- Through a collaborative environment of peers in the cohort, find partners, future hires, and advocates to help your innovation sustainably scale.
Benefits
- $40,000 stipend to support your participation in the Accelerator
- Participation in a 5-month virtual program with a customized curriculum
- Customized youth & professional advisory boards
- Use of Headstream's impact measurement tools
- Access to a global network of 100+ funders and partners
- A multi-day in-person closing event
Eligibility Criteria
- The Headstream Accelerator is open for anyone to apply.
- Successful applicants must have tech-based solutions that are focused on young people and their support systems in the U.S. Headstream is particularly interested in innovations targeting teenagers (13-19), but solutions for slightly younger (pre-teen) or older (college-aged youth) groups are eligible to apply.
- International applicants must be operating in the U.S. or have near-term plans to expand into the U.S. Responses from academics, companies, entrepreneurs, inventors, organizations, research institutions, national laboratories, government agencies, social enterprises, and funders are welcome.
- Innovations may be at the stage of a functional prototype, market-ready, or established. Headstream will not consider submissions that are theoretical designs or limited to ideas on paper.
For more information, visit Headstream Accelerator Program.
For more information, visit https://www.headstreaminnovation.com/application#challenge