The Gray Matter Experience Overview

The Gray Matter Experience (TGME) is a non profit and entrepreneurial experience program for high school students. Our mission is to expose youth to entrepreneurship and provide them access to the tools and resources necessary to build businesses that impact their communities. We believe that by allowing students to serve on the front lines of community growth and ownership, it will increase their self-worth and strengthen ties to their the communities in which they live.

We provide coaching, capital, curriculum, connections, and community to level the playing field for teens to enter the entrepreneurial space. Since 2016, we have supported 52 social entrepreneurs. Of our first three cohorts, 97% identified as people of color and 62% as women. We’ve invested over $50,000 in seed funding and pro bono services to our teen founders and worked with over 600 students across the country to expose them to entrepreneurship practices. We have been recognized by the Chicago CS Magazine, Streetwise Magazine, Chicago Tribune, Essence Magazine and Fox32 Chicago for our work.

Hustle Hacks Overview

The Hustle Hacks program is designed to help teens and young adults who are already running businesses, but need more support to grow and put structure around what they've started. Participants will have 12 weeks of access to our digital content designed to help them learn best practices for building more effective operations, money management, accounting and bookkeeping, and tips on how to better engage customers. The program curriculum also focuses on other areas that we see small minority-owned businesses struggling with most, including customer service, marketing and branding, and strategic planning, to name a few. By the end of the program, you'll be connected to the resources, coaches, and support you need to launch and grow your business.

Program Location: Self-guided content via digital learning platfom (details will be shared upon acceptance). 

Program Format & Cost: Hustle Hacks' learning content is self-guided, at-your-own-pace.

• Level 1 - $35
  Participants will receive:
  
  • Access to the Hustle Hacks curriculum via TGME's digital content platform, which will expire 12 weeks after program acceptance;
  • Downloadable guides & worksheets to accompany the digital content.

Eligibility:

Gray Matter is looking for smart, driven, team-oriented, resourceful, and entrepreneurial-spirited individuals. Most importantly, we are looking for dedicated participants; The Gray Matter Experience Hustle Hacks program is strictly for those young adults who are currently serious about starting, running and growing a business. 

Application Requirements

Selection Criteria:

Application materials include an introductory video, and answers to the questions below.

Sections of the application include:

General Information — Basic personal information.

Program Selection — Tell us which level of the program you are opting into. Also please indicate if you will need financial assistance to participate. Your family’s financial status will not negatively impact your chances of acceptance in any way. This question allows us to assess the potential for an application fee waiver, and will let us know to send you a financial need application if admitted.

Hustle Hacks Information — Information about your business/idea, and your experience building the business up to this point.

Video Submission — Introduce yourself in a video of 2 minutes or less. Ensure you cover who you are and the idea you're developing. We want to see:

- Self-awareness—Don’t just share facts about yourself, but elaborate on why these things matter

- Personability—The best candidates are able to balance confidence and humility when introducing themselves

- A strong business model

- Passion—We love to see you’re are excited by what you do!

All applications will be evaluated on completeness and thoughtfulness of the materials submitted. 

Requirement(s):   

All Levels:   
     
• Must have a strong business or idea that can leverage our content to help them grow