OUR STUDENTS
Changemakers building a future in business and innovation
We cultivate a vibrant community of dreamers, problem-solvers, and next-generation founders, teens, and young adults ages 14–24 from communities long left out of opportunity.
At Gray Matter, they find more than business skills. They discover clarity, confidence, and a network of mentors and peers who believe in their vision. Our programs develop entrepreneurial thinking, self-agency, and a growth mindset to equip students to navigate school, career, and life with confidence.
Armed with knowledge, access, and bold vision, they return to their communities ready to transform the world around them.
Who We Select and How
At Gray Matter, we intentionally select students who show promise, passion, and a willingness to grow - but lack access and the space to explore their potential. Each program has a dedicated online application, and students are evaluated using an internal rubric that considers drive, coachability, creativity, and commitment.
For pitch competitions, participants are chosen based on the strength of their business ideas and readiness to present – skills sharpened through our ACCELERATE program.
What We Measure
Our students demonstrate measurable growth across critical areas:
+34%
Entrepreneurial Skills
Students show a marked increase in business acumen, grasping the essentials of launching and sustaining a business.
+31%
Network Navigation
Students expand their ability to build and leverage support systems within the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
+17%
Proprietary Entrepreneurial Traits
From confidence to creative problem-solving, students deepen their application of Gray Matter’s signature traits throughout the program experience.
Why This Work Matters Now
A closer look at what our students are up against, and how they rise anyway.
Let's Look Even Deeper
Let's take a look deeper...
Financial Pressure & Survival Mode
Many students come from households where financial stress is high. Some may work to support their families or navigate unstable home environments. Their brilliance often competes with the daily need to survive.
Disinvestment in Education & Infrastructure
Many of the communities Gray Matter serves are in neighborhoods that have long faced underfunded public schools, outdated technology, and limited access to enrichment programs. Students often don’t get exposure to entrepreneurship or innovation until they participate in Gray Matter.
Lack of Access to Capital & Ownership Pathways
Even the best business ideas stall without funding. Traditional lenders often overlook young, first-time entrepreneurs, especially those without wealth or established connections. Gray Matter fills that access gap through grants and startup support.
Limited Access to Mentorship & Networks
Professional networks, so essential in business, are not easily accessible to students from communities long left out of opportunity. Without exposure to role models, students may not see a clear path to entrepreneurship or leadership.
Cultural Marginalization of Innovation
The entrepreneurial spirit in Black and Brown communities is rich, yet rarely resourced. The creativity, innovation, and cultural leadership that fuel entire industries are often extracted but not reinvested back into the youth who drive them.
Student Cohorts
Click each image to view our student cohorts.
Our Students Are Innovators
Our programs, centered on entrepreneurial education, shift thinking from curiosity to action. Our students emerge as budding visionaries, embarking on an inspiring journey of innovation and business creation.
Fueled by the entrepreneurial mindset instilled through our programs, these young change-makers not only dream big but transform their visions into reality.