A founder network for the next generation

Transform ideas
into impact.

We believe that no entrepreneur should be barred from building their innovative ideas due to a lack of resources. Innovation is critical for real, tangible social impact, and we want to support the next generation and spur innovation. Youth Accelerator strives to use machine learning to connect teen entrepreneurs with networks, resources, and mentorships.

3
Pillars: funding, networking, incubation
100%
Committed to generating social change
5+
Investors supporting the mission
1
Network that compounds over time
Supported by investors at
SE
SE Ventures
OV
Overture Ventures
S
Stanford University
01The model

Three pillars, one goal.

We don't hand students a generic playbook and walk away. We provide the three things early founders most consistently lack.

01 — FUNDING
Funding
A R&D microgrant is often all that stands between a prototype and a dead idea. We make sure cost isn't the reason a project never ships.
02 — NETWORKING
Networking
We use our mentor-matching algorithm to match founders with experienced mentors and a network of operators, advisors, and clients. These are the connections and sources of inspiration that capital alone cannot buy.
03 — INCUBATION
Incubation
Help doesn't stop at a check and an intro. Founders draw on an ongoing library of resources for every stage of building.
02The journey

From a lone idea to a connection
in the network.

01
Ambition
02
Support
03
Matching
04
Growth
05
Network
01
Ambition
A student arrives with an idea and the will to build it, but has no capital, no network, no map.
03The network is the product

Every founder we back
makes the next one stronger.

Hover any node. Founders, mentors, and the platform that ties them together. The value of the Youth Accelerator network isn't just a single match, it's the systemic connections that forms around it.

"A student building 3D-printed scale airplane models was matched, through our algorithm, with a technology lawyer who helped him navigate trademark protection and platform compliance, the exact kind of quiet guidance that decides whether a small venture survives."
Founder–mentor match · trademark & compliance support
04Events

Where founders meet.

We bring our network together in person, diligently working to connect founders, mentors, and operators across the world's most dynamic markets.

August 2026
Upcoming
Manila, Philippines
Youth Accelerator
Manila Summit

A founder summit focused on emerging markets, new innovation, and underserved entrepreneurs across Southeast Asia. Bringing together builders, operators, and capital from across the region to support teen builders..

Emerging Markets Fintech Southeast Asia
Fall 2026
Announced
Stanford, California
Youth Accelerator
Stanford Hackathon

A hackathon event at the heart of Silicon Valley, encouraging students to develop their ideas and build them to life. We'll be connecting our founder cohort with the Bay Area startup ecosystem, investors, and operators building at the frontier.

Silicon Valley Venture Demo Day
05Apply

Apply for Cohort One.

We're building something from scratch, and would love your support. Applications are reviewed personally, and all we're looking for is your drive and persistence to innovate. Those accepted get access to our mentor-matching algorithm, using a ML model with weighted hyperparameters to best match entrepreneurs with seasoned professional mentors.

Application Deadline
August 31, 2026
Cohort One · Limited spots
🤝
Real mentors, real intros

Get matched with operators and investors who've actually built things, instead of just a generic list of contacts.

💡
All about ideas

We don't care what resources you have access to. We care about the problem you're solving and your drive to see it through.

🚀
A network that compounds

Every founder we back becomes part of the network. The relationships you build here outlast the cohort.

About You
Your Venture
Traction & Progress
Fit & Motivation

We review every application personally and respond within 2 weeks. Cohort One is limited, please apply before August 31.

06The people

Built by founders,
for founders.

We're a student-run team that believes no young entrepreneur should navigate the road alone.

VC
Vihaan Chaturvedy
Co-founder & President

Vihaan is a high school sophomore from Atherton, California, who is particularly interested in the usage of machine learning to accelerate the entrepreneurship. As the leader of the team, Vihaan supports and facilitates connection between the technological and entrepreneurial side of the team. He has both worked in venture capital spaces and taken machine learning courses, allowing for him to use both of these experiences to design Youth Accelerator.

CW
Cooper Williams
Co-founder & Finance Lead

Cooper is a high school sophomore from San Francisco, California. He is keen on fostering an increase in teen innovation. As the financial lead for the team, Cooper provides advice on equity models and methods of investment, creating unique incentives for both aspiring teen entrepreneurs and experienced mentors to join the program.

VB
Veer Bhandari
Partnerships & Tech Co-Lead

Veer is a high school sophomore from Palo Alto, California. Veer brings an analytical perspective to the team. He studies surveys and data to produce solutions, in this case, connecting with partners to design the Youth Accelerator platform. He also uses his knowledge from statistics and programming courses to help support building the code behind the website.

CM
Carson Middleton
Co-founder & Operations Lead

Carson is an incoming freshman at the University of Chicago, and is from Los Altos Hills, California. Carson brings a practical lens to balance out his team’s aspirational ambitions. He has employed his economics experience to pinpoint the team’s precise equity structure and funding model, all the while ensuring real-world feasibility.

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