Acceleration
Cultivating the Entrepreneurial Spirit
NCSSM’s Accelerator is a launchpad for student innovation, designed to bridge the gap between ideas and action. Tailored to the unique needs of high school students, the program fosters creativity, critical thinking, and leadership. Students working on real-world ventures receive support from mentors and industry experts as they develop the skills needed to take their ideas to the next level.
Our accelerator goes beyond building businesses—it builds leaders. By providing mentorship, hands-on learning, funding, and connections to the broader entrepreneurial community, we equip students with the tools and confidence to drive meaningful change.
I am a disruptor
Do you have an idea or need support? Do you want to be a part of the growing NCSSM Entrepreneurship Community? Contact entrepreneurship@ncssm.edu.
Atlas Lad
Embrace | GrandConnect
Atlas Lad
Embrace is the visionary product idea of Atlas Lad, designed to help families of palliative care patients preserve cherished memories. This application allows users to record and compile videos and other media of their loved ones, creating a meaningful emotional support tool with a strong foundation in neuroscience research. Atlas's work demonstrates that integrating simple yet sophisticated technologies can strengthen human connections, ease grief, and improve mental health for both families and patients in palliative care.
Embrace is a product of Altas' company, GrandConnect. They are currently working toward an MVP and have received support from the Bowman Brockman Fund as well as the Colopy Accelerator.
Julianna Jones
Project STEMKits
Julianna Jones
Project STEMKits is a non-profit founded by Julianna Jones to address the challenges of STEM education in elementary schools. STEM and STEAM are transformative teaching frameworks, equipping students with the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly technical world. However, implementing STEM education often faces significant barriers—technical education is costly, and many districts struggle to provide classrooms with the necessary supplies, resources, and training. Julianna’s non-profit tackles this issue by making circuit-making kits and other essential materials more accessible. This inspiring initiative demonstrates how social good and entrepreneurial principles can seamlessly come together to create meaningful impact.
Terrabyte Team
Terrabite
Innovating Sustainable Construction
Terrabite is a student-led team focused on revolutionizing the construction industry through sustainability. Their project explores the use of biochar to create carbon concrete, a material designed to reduce the environmental impact of traditional concrete production. By integrating biochar, a carbon-rich byproduct of organic matter, into concrete, Terrabite aims to develop a solution that not only sequesters carbon but also enhances material properties. This innovative approach showcases how entrepreneurship and environmental responsibility can converge to address critical challenges in sustainable development.
