Program Overview
Learn lean start-up methods, coding, UI/UX, & leadership skills
Lean Start-up Methods
Coding
Leadership
Critical Thinking
Collaboration
Program Partners
Challenging Young Minds
2017 Summer Program
Summer Program 06/12/17 - 07/21/17
What’s a goal without a deadline?
In six weeks, students learn the technology and business skills required to develop a civic-oriented startup. The application and admissions process is competitive, curriculum learned in lightspeed pace, but the achievement is worth the effort!
Eligibility
No previous experience in business or technology required
Who Can Apply
Students enrolled in 9th-12th grade and attending high school in Santa Monica are eligible to apply.
Residency: Students enrolled in 9th-12th grade currently residing in Santa Monica, but attending a high school outside of Santa Monica are also eligible to apply.
Cost
Free of charge!
Admitted Students
Must be capable of learning advanced technology and business concepts while working in a fast paced environment.
Behavior Policies
Students are required to follow strict behavior and attendance policies for the duration of the program.
Attendance Requirements
Students are required to attend Monday through Friday from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm.
Alumni Requirements
Alumni are required to participate in annual alumni events and quarterly mentor meetings until their college graduation to maintain their active status.
Competitive Application Process
Application Period 01/01/17 - 04/24/17
2
In-depth Interview
Applicant interviews 01/23/17 – 04/28/17
3
Review by Selection Committee
Admission decisions by 5/5/17
4
Admission Decision Letters
Acceptance & rejection notices emailed by 5/5/17
A blast from the past
Here's what our alumni have to say
Previous Teams
Our students have built 18 companies during our 6-week program
Coblic
Domo Chef
Dynami Systems
Find Some Yum
Foodonym
Frame Finds
InFarmMe
Interest Alley
Khordify
Lyrnics
Merit Hero
QckPrk
SMFitNet
Spinzie
StreetGlyph
The OddSpots
TutorPlug
Zermely
Awards
People are talking about us
2015 - The Youth Tech Program has been designated as a “Bright Idea” by the Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation. The Ash Center’s Bright Ideas initiative identifies and promotes promising government programs and practices so that government leaders, public servants, and other individuals can learn about these ideas and adopt initiatives that work.
2014 - Santa Monica’s Youth Tech Program ranked 54th in InformationWeek Elite 100, a list of the top business innovators in the U.S. Santa Monica was the only local government to obtain an Elite100 ranking, attesting to a level of IT innovation on par with Fortune100 companies. The program was also featured in InformationWeek’s article, “Twenty Great Ideas to Steal,” which encourages the adoption of successful business models.
2013 - Santa Monica’s Youth Tech Program received the Technology Solutions award from the Public Technology Institute. This award recognizes local governments that demonstrate how they use technology to solve problems, provide enhanced services to the public, and improve internal operations.
Program Staff
Our alumni have joined the team
Carla Fantozzi
Program Consultant
Gary Carter
Founding Program Director
Jamila Haji
Lead Program Specialist
2012 Alumni
Kenneth Bales
Program Supervisor
Brownie Sibrian
Program Specialist
Victoria Contreras
Collaboration Instructor
Vladimir Jimenez
Lead Coding Instructor
2012 Alumni
Kevin Grossi
Coding Instructor
2012 Alumni
Omar De Arcos
Networking Instructor
2013 Alumni
Samantha Hsieh
Lean Start-up Instructor
2014 Alumni
David Xiao
Coding Instructor
2012 Alumni
Kevin Tran
UI/UX Instructor
2014 Alumni