Welcome to
the Headstream
Accelerator!

Join us to build and scale the products that will support the mental well-being of young people.

$30,000

non-dilutive stipend

16 Weeks

of virtual cohort programming

Fully

funded in-person kick-off event

Supportive

founder network, including founder well-being coaching

Customized

curriculum

Access

to Headstream's professional advisory network

Partnership

with Headstream's Youth Co-Creator Club

Use

of Headstream's impact measurement tool

Access

to a global network of funders and investors

Join the waiting list today!

Get Inspired:

Meet our Participants

Where exceptional minds building a brighter future for youth are supported and elevated.

The Headstream Accelerator is designed to support entrepreneurs to scale the most promising digital solutions that positively impact youth mental well-being, focusing on BIPOC, Latino, and LGBTQIA+ communities, with a primary emphasis on reaching the education and healthcare markets. Headstream’s four-month virtual-first program is tailored to support early-stage innovators through developing strong business plans and attractive value propositions for sustainable growth and meaningful impact.

Join a rapidly growing industry that has experienced an incredible 15-fold surge in investment over the last four years.

The impact of our work

Through the Accelerator, we have supported products from 36 entrepreneurs, reaching more than 10 million users and raising more than $20 million to advance culturally competent solutions addressing youth's mental well-being

As a founder, you are consistently juggling between the impact you're trying to have and the capitalist game you have to play. Headstream helped remind me that both are achievable without losing sight of our purpose

-Breakthru, Alex Miles

Headstream’s community is amazing! I appreciated how much the other founders came to share authentically. I also really liked the coaching session on founder wellness

- GoGaba, Candice Blacknall

The Headstream Accelerator is a phenomenal entrepreneurial community that truly centers youth mental health and digital well-being

- Local Civics, Beverly León

Learn More About Our Impact Here

Our Alumni have received investments from:

Apply Today and JOIN THE HEADSTREAM ACCELERATOR IN 2025!

What you NEed to Know

Ideal Innovation Profile

Ed-Tech

These innovations cater to the diverse needs of students nationwide. They may extend support to teachers, school counselors, youth-serving organizations, parents, after-school programs, and students themselves.

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Digital Health

These innovations integrate into existing healthcare systems or directly engage with young people through apps or platforms promoting resilience or addressing challenges like loneliness, depression, and anxiety.

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Social Tech

Gaming, social media, streaming, and chat platforms prioritize transparency, safety, representation, agency, community building, and authenticity.

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Get the tools, resources, and support to thrive

Financial Support: $30,000 non-dilutive stipend to support your participation
Youth Co-Creator Collaboration: Partner with Headstream’s Youth Co-Creator Club to gain invaluable insights on cultural relevance, age-appropriateness, and user experience, ensuring your solutions resonate deeply and effectively with the next generation
Advisor Network: Connect with various expert advisors across multiple industries and receive guidance, resources, and support in navigating your entrepreneurial journey
Investor Readiness: Engage with potential investors and capital providers
Community Building: Build lasting relationships with dedicated entrepreneurs, experts, and advisors to support your well-being beyond the program
Founder Well-being: Headstream is a proud signatory of the Founder Mental Health Pledge and recognizes the many sacrifices founders make in doing this important work. Through our program, get access to one-on-one and group coaching sessions with our well-being partner, FounderWell.

Who should apply?

The Headstream Accelerator is ideal for innovations that aim to positively impact youth mental well-being, especially BIPOC, Latino, and LGBTQIA+ communities. Our work is primarily on solutions within the education & healthcare markets but we encourage and welcome all impactful digital solutions to apply.

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We strive to drive innovations that address the diverse needs of young people by reaching them where they are at, whether that is directly, through schools, healthcare providers or community members. Learn more about some of our Headstream Accelerator alumni and their innovations:

Backpack Healthcare | Founder Hafeezah Muhammad
Inpathy | Founder Ziarekenya Smith
Local Civics | Founder Beverly León
Astro Studios | Co-Founders Gael Aitor and Kayla Suarez
Legends | Founder Sonny Caberwal
Clymb | Founder Ashley Williams

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For more information, check out our alumni cohort!

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Selection Criteria

A panel of experts including teens, technologists, investors, educators, and well-being specialists will evaluate the applicants using the following criteria:

Positive Impact on Youth Mental Wellbeing: Your product should be focused on positively impacting youth mental well-being, with a primary emphasis on reaching the education and healthcare markets.
Youth Focus: The Headstream Accelerator is open to all applicants with tech-based solutions geared towards supporting young people in the U.S. We have a particular interest in innovations aimed at teenagers (aged 13-19), but we also welcome solutions for pre-teen or older college-aged youth.
Inclusivity: Your product should already be reaching or have the potential to reach BIPOC, Latino, and LGBTQIA+ youth, demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity and diversity.‍
Tech-Based: The Headstream Accelerator is open to all applicants with tech-based solutions focused on supporting young people and their support systems with a focus on education and healthcare in the U.S.
Primary Market - United States: The U.S. is the primary market of focus. International applicants with a presence in the U.S. are still eligible to apply.
Diverse Respondents: Academics, companies, entrepreneurs, inventors, organizations, research institutions, national laboratories, government agencies, social enterprises, and funders are welcome to apply.
Innovation Stages: Whether you have a functional prototype, a market-ready product, or an established solution, we encourage you to apply. We do not consider submissions that are solely theoretical designs or limited to ideas on paper will not be considered. Applicants ready to be supported by industry partners or ready to scale will receive the most benefit from the Headstream Accelerator
Sustainable Funding Model: Your plans should outline a revenue-driven, sustainable business model. This model will be evaluated by the Headstream team and our network of advisors who actively participate as applicant evaluators. Academics, companies, entrepreneurs, inventors, organizations, research institutions, national laboratories, government agencies, social enterprises, and funders are welcome to apply. For-profit startups will benefit the most from the Accelerator, but other entities are eligible to apply as long as they have a sustainable funding model.

Participants Expectations

Full Participation: Actively engage in all cohort calls, youth co-creation sessions, events, and program activities including an in-person multi-day kickoff at the end of February 2025 and a virtual closing summit at the end of the program

Weekly Commitment: 2-5 hours per week on average–activities include virtual cohort calls, collaboration with the Youth Co-Creator Club, advisor office hours, and Headstream guide calls

Youth Co-Creation: Integrate youth voices throughout your product lifecycle and understand the significant impact your innovations can have on their lives and experiences

How to Get Involved

Are you an innovator with a digital product focused on youth digital well-being?

Be a part of the Headstream Accelerator. Together we can shape a just and inclusive economy built around enriching digital spaces and experiences for all youth.

Join the waiting list here

Are you a capital provider or an organization supporting entrepreneurs in the youth well-being space?

Expand your impact and connect with us!

Partner With Us

FAQ

Do I need prior experience to participate?

No prior experience is needed. All we ask is that you bring your unique perspective, creativity, and willingness to learn. Whether you’re new to co-design or already interested in innovation and technology, this program is designed to meet you where you are.

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What can I expect after submitting my application?

After you submit your application by March 2nd, 2025, we will review it and notify selected candidates for interviews. All applicants for the Co-Creator Club will receive a status update by April 1st, 2025

When will I get the stipend?

Each Youth Co-Creator will receive a $2000 stipend for their active participation in the 5-month program. The stipend is provided to support your commitment and contributions to the co-creation process. You will receive it at the end of the program.

What type of innovations am I going to help co-create and work on?

You’ll work with innovators developing products in three key areas: social technology, education tech, and digital health. These products are designed to support teen well-being and could include apps that promote positive social interactions, mental health tools that offer resources for stress and anxiety management, or educational platforms that enhance learning and emotional resilience. By contributing your insights, you’ll help shape solutions that resonate with youth and make a lasting impact.

Here are some impactful innovations that the youth in our program have contributed to: Kalda, Backpack Healthcare, Selfsea, Astro Studios

What can I expect to gain or learn from this program?

You will learn valuable skills such as digital literacy, cultural wealth, and problem-solving. You’ll collaborate with innovators to co-design impactful technologies, build peer relationships, and enhance your leadership abilities. By the end of the program, you’ll be equipped to inspire and drive change in youth well-being. Almost all of our youth report an increase in their capacity and interest in entrepreneurship.

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What happens if I can’t attend a session or miss a deadline?

We understand that challenges can arise. If you're unable to attend a session or meet a deadline, just let the program organizers know in advance so we can make arrangements. To get the most out of the program, it's expected that you attend all sessions, but we do allow up to two absences if needed.

Welcome to
the Headstream
Accelerator!

The impact of our work