Ever meet teenage disruptors? They are aspiring entrepreneurs under the age of 19 with plans to change the world.
Twenty of these budding business leaders came to UCLA Anderson School of Management this summer to participate in Founders Bootcamp, a partnership with the business school that offers the world’s first startup accelerator and venture capital funds for teenage entrepreneurs. The program was started in 2017.
Of 1,100 applicants representing 26 countries, five teams were selected to take part in the 12-week intensive summer program, which provides teens with access to starting budgets, essential resources and experienced Anderson student mentors who work to empower teams to bring their ideas to fruition. Already, one team, the Trill Project, has received a substantial investment commitment for its anti-bullying idea and has been showcased on TechCrunch. Two other teams are being considered for inclusion on ABC’s Shark Tank reality series.
Among other ideas from this 2018’s bootcamp participants: ending thirst worldwide with a machine that creates potable water from humid air; using smart, stylish jewelry to help deter assault and make safety fashionable; and reforming corrupt agricultural trade systems with an accessible, online marketplace called Agronet.
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