    Startup
Accelerator

APPLY NOW

✦

APPLY NOW ✦

Startup Capital for Student Builders

Two years — up to $5,000.
Some ideas can’t wait.

We back bold middle and high school students — grades 6 to 12 — who are ready to build, lead, and launch real-world projects before they graduate.

You’ll get up to $5,000 over two years to bring your idea to life— a startup, nonprofit, research project, or creative work. No GPA required. No waiting. Just initiative, vision, and action.

Inspired by the Thiel Fellowship
You must graduate high school to receive the full award.
Up to 20 Fellows selected annually.

FELLOWSHIP

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Interviews follow.

A two-year, up to $5,000 grant for students to pursue ambitious projects — startups, nonprofits, research, inventions, or creative work.
No. We look for initiative, not polish. Show us you’ve started and where you’re headed.
No. You must graduate high school to receive the full award.
Students in grades 6–12 who live in, or are committed to, Appalachia.
Anything with impact. If you’re building something meaningful and can prove it—you’re in the game.
Never. This is a grant, not an investment.
We select 10 to 20 students per year.
No. We review applications year-round.
A tight network of mentors and peers, plus support to grow your idea and your impact.
Applications include:

Name, contact info, grade, school, location.
Short answers about your project, progress, and passion (300–500 words each).
Optional uploads: photos, video, prototypes.
No GPA required. Just guts, vision, and action.

Apply here.