Individual Founder Program — 1:1
One student works deeply with a dedicated mentor on an individual venture at a personalized pace.
AiMi Founder Studio
From a real problem to a venture worth building.
A hands-on studio where high school students investigate real needs, design solutions, build and test an MVP, and present a venture with confidence.
Who it is for
Students who notice what could be better.
Designed for students who notice problems, imagine better possibilities, and want to learn how ideas become credible solutions in the real world.
Founder Studio is not limited to AI. Students may explore technology, healthcare, consumer, education, finance, social-impact, and nonprofit ventures. AI is one possible tool, not a requirement.
Mentors build, review, and challenge
Experience meets disciplined student ownership.
A dedicated mentor stays deeply involved as the student defines a real problem, designs customer discovery, tests assumptions, scopes an achievable solution, reviews the MVP, challenges the model, and prepares the final pitch. The student owns the venture decisions, evidence, and execution.
- 01Problem and stakeholder definition
- 02Customer and market research design
- 03Value proposition and MVP scope
- 04Recurring evidence and expert review
- 05Pitch, demo, and eligibility review
- 06Rehearsal and final evaluation
Studio process
Build evidence before the pitch.
Students move from a real need to a solution they can explain, test, critique, and improve.
- 01
Problem Discovery
Define the user, need, and context.
- 02
Customer Research
Test assumptions through ethical interviews and evidence gathering.
- 03
Solution Design
Compare approaches and choose a focused value proposition.
- 04
MVP Development
Build a suitable prototype, service pilot, workflow, or proof of concept.
- 05
Market or Impact Testing
Gather feedback and revise the model.
- 06
Venture Story
Develop the business or nonprofit model, pitch deck, and presentation.
Delivery formats
Online, Manhattan, or hybrid—when scheduled.
Public availability always reflects a confirmed, properly resourced cohort. Exact locations are shared only after venue, access, insurance, and safeguarding arrangements are confirmed.
Online Studio
Live mentor sessions, small-cohort workshops, team collaboration, expert reviews, and virtual presentation opportunities.
Manhattan Studio
When scheduled, in-person working sessions, critiques, rehearsals, and presentation experiences in Manhattan, New York City.
Hybrid Studio
Online project development combined with selected Manhattan Studio days or a final New York City showcase.
Formal outcomes & next-stage pathways
Where can the work go?
The capstone is the guaranteed educational destination. Academy showcases and external opportunities are distinct next stages, each with its own readiness and eligibility gate.
Core capstone
Every student builds a substantive final body of work.Founder Studio
Venture capstone
A documented venture project that connects a real need to evidence, an MVP, testing, and a credible next-step plan.
- MVP or prototype
- Customer evidence and venture brief
Built into the program; scope follows readiness and feasibility.
Academy showcase
Students communicate and defend the work for a real audience.Founder Studio
Demo Day & Venture Showcase
A live demonstration and pitch where students explain the problem, evidence, tradeoffs, iteration, and proposed impact.
- Pitch deck and product demo
- Audience questions and mentor evaluation
Available when an Academy showcase is scheduled for the cohort.
External pathway
Qualified projects may be prepared for a third-party venue.Founder Studio
Venture competition pathway
Competition preparation built around the actual rules, student role, evidence requirements, and submission format.
- Written application
- Pitch, demo, and Q&A rehearsal
Conditional on current eligibility, deadlines, adviser requirements, and readiness.
Founder Studio
TED-style or TEDxSCA Youth pathway
Development of an idea-centered public talk for an internal showcase or a separately organized youth event.
- Talk narrative and evidence map
- Stage rehearsal and delivery critique
TEDx participation requires a confirmed event, organizer approval, and student selection; no affiliation is implied.
Founder Studio provides educational mentorship and project development. It does not provide legal, tax, investment, or securities advice, and participation does not guarantee business formation, revenue, funding, competition results, or college admission.