6 months
3 Saturdays a month
November 7
No cost + $1,000 stipend
Apply by Oct 19
The Gray Matter Experience is where Gray Matter’s high school students start. Over six months, you’ll learn how entrepreneurs think, lead, and solve problems, alongside a cohort of 30 Fellows who are building too.
You’ll research your market, test your idea against real customer needs, design a prototype, and pitch it. Guest speakers, mentors, and subject matter experts who lead in their fields work with you the whole way. You’ll leave with a validated business idea, a working prototype, and a clear picture of what’s next.
PROGRAM DETAILS
Fellows develop a business idea, build a working prototype, and earn a $1,000 stipend.
Sessions meet in person three Saturdays a month, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm., at Tech Nexus in Downtown Chicago, from November 7, 2026 to May 1, 2027.
Program Highlights:
-
Six months: November 7, 2026 – May 1, 2027
-
Three Saturdays a month, in person, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
-
No cost to attend, plus a $1,000 stipend
-
Transportation covered (rideshare or CTA vouchers) and meals provided
-
A laptop on loan for the length of the program
-
Mentor support and field trips throughout
-
Participation in our pitch intensive, on February 6 and May 1, 2027
-
Priority access to ACCELERATE, our paid summer program
Who Can Apply:
High school students ages 14–18. Submit the online application, then complete a short interview with our team. Fellows commit to the full six months and may miss no more than four sessions.
Lead Like an Entrepreneur:
-
Build an entrepreneurial mindset and a leadership style that’s your own
-
Learn the difference between an idea and an opportunity
-
Weigh the social impact of what you build
-
Build relationships with mentors, alumni, and peers
Build Your Business:
-
Research your market and size up the competition
-
Choose the right business model for your idea
-
Work through your business financials
-
Build your brand and a marketing plan
-
Design and test a prototype, including UX/UI
-
Tell your story and pitch your business
In The Gray Matter Experience, you’ll take your idea from concept to prototype. You’ll narrow in on a business idea worth building, test it against real customer needs, and turn it into a concrete plan and a working prototype with a marketing strategy behind it. Along the way, you’ll sharpen your critical thinking and solve real problems. On May 1, you’ll present your business and prototype at our showcase.
