Have a cause you care deeply about? Want to make a real difference and build a powerful story for your college application? The Impact Accelerator is our signature program that helps students launch meaningful, community-driven projects under the guidance of mentors from top global universities.
Whether you're passionate about mental health, sustainability, education access, or tech for good, we’ll help you shape that passion into a real initiative that creates visible impact. You’ll learn how to research community needs, design a sustainable solution, build a team, and execute your vision - step by step.
Students graduate from this program with a fully launched initiative, professional mentorship, and a standout addition to their resume and college portfolio.
✅ Includes:
- Weekly workshops and 1-on-1 mentorship
- Project planning toolkit
- Access to funding and community partners
- Optional 2-day “Catalyst Bootcamp” for a faster track
🎯 Ideal for: Grade 7–12 students who want to take initiative and make a difference
👉 Apply now to create the project that could change lives, and your future.
Turn Your Ideas into Ventures That Make a Difference
Do you have an idea that could change your community - or even the world?
Our Social Entrepreneurship Program gives students the skills, mentorship, and confidence to launch their own business, nonprofit organization, or impact-driven platform—all before graduating high school.In this hands-on, remote program, you will:
🤝 Work with Industry Mentors and Successful Entrepreneurs
Gain insider knowledge from leaders in business, technology, and social impact.
💡 Develop Entrepreneurial & Leadership Skills
Learn how to identify opportunities, build a team, and bring an idea to life with purpose and strategy.
🌱 Create Real Social Impact
Focus on projects that solve real-world problems—from sustainability and mental health to education and technology for good.
🚀 Launch Your Own Venture
By the end of the program, you’ll have a business, nonprofit, or digital platform ready to share with the world—and a story that will stand out in college applications, scholarships, and beyond.
💡 Ideal for students in Grades 8–12 who are driven to innovate, lead, and create meaningful change.
Current Project: Spit-Spot Concussion Detection [4 spots available]
Exploring Saliva Biomarkers for Safer Sports
Can a Simple Spit Test Protect Athletes’ Brains?
Every year, athletes of all ages face the risk of concussions - but many go undiagnosed. Current detection methods are slow, costly, or impractical on the sidelines.
Imagine a world where detecting a concussion is as quick and easy as a COVID test: spit, wait a few minutes, and get an instant warning that a brain injury may have occurred.
This project takes the first step toward that future - by exploring how saliva-based biomarkers could be used to create a fast, non-invasive, and affordable concussion test.
Project Overview
In this project, students will explore biomarkers in saliva - tiny molecules like proteins, cytokines, and microRNAs - that could signal a concussion. The long-term vision is a simple color-changing test strip or lateral flow device that coaches or medics could use on the field to detect potential brain injuries instantly.
Before real-world applications, the project focuses on proof of concept in the lab:
- Simulate saliva samples by “spiking” water-based solutions with known biomarkers.
- Use real biotech techniques to detect and visualize these biomarkers.
- Evaluate which detection methods are most sensitive and practical for a future field test.
Hands-On Science You’ll Master
Students don’t just brainstorm - they do real lab work using equipment and techniques found in biotech and neuropharmacology labs worldwide:
- PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction): Amplify trace DNA/RNA biomarkers like microRNAs.
- Gel Electrophoresis: Visualize amplified fragments to confirm detection.
- HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography): Separate and identify specific proteins or metabolites in complex solutions.
- Culture Incubator & Sample Handling: Maintain stable, mock biological conditions to simulate real-world saliva samples.
This is true experiential science - tactile, exciting, and career-building.
Why This Project Is Exciting for Students
- 🧠 Dive into Neuroscience: Explore how the brain signals injury through molecular “messengers.”
- 🏈 Bridge Sports & Science: Tackle a problem that matters to athletes, teams, and public health.
- 🔬 Do Real Lab Research: Gain hands-on experience with professional techniques.
- 🚀 Make an Impact: Work on an idea that could change the future of sports safety.
Why This Project Stands Out
- Real-World Relevance: Concussion detection is a pressing challenge in youth, college, and pro sports.
- Competitive Edge: Perfect for college applications, science fairs, and research competitions.
- Thought Leadership: Even validating a known biomarker in simulated saliva is a meaningful scientific contribution.
- Career Springboard: Learn skills used in biotech, pharmacology, and neuroscience research.
Long-Term Potential
This project can grow into:
- A college-level research paper or independent study.
- A prototype startup idea for sideline concussion testing kits.
- A launchpad into neurodiagnostics, biotech innovation, or sports medicine research.
Your curiosity could lead to the next breakthrough in athlete safety.
Are you ready to explore the science of spit and protect the brain? Apply Now!
