2026 Tech Start-Up Fellowship

URBAN TXT: Teens Exploring Technology is an award winning, nationally recognized technology-based start‑up non-profit organization that focuses on inspiring underserved boys, grades 9th-11th to become confident leaders using technology as a tool to improve marginalized communities. Our focus is to develop young men of color into tech leaders through skills in leadership, entrepreneurship, UX design and code. During the summer, we partner with the University of Southern California (USC) to immerse the youth into our lean start‑up Summer Coding Leadership Academy (SCLA). Teens develop a tech business that focuses on solving a social problem in underrepresented communities during SCLA. The White House, City of Los Angeles, Google, Mashable, Re/code, and Inc. Magazine have recognized TXT as an innovative organization. Fellows are vital to the success of SCLA. As a fellow you will inspire the next generation of Black and Latino tech entrepreneurs. You will coach teens in solving critical social issues while developing a tech solution. You will have the opportunity to manage a teen tech‑start up and help your team pitch to investors. All fellows will have the opportunity to learn from top entrepreneurs, investors, and tech mentors. Our fellows are mentored by professionals from Google, Tinder, Snapchat, and other tech companies. We are looking for self‑motivated individuals who are willing to learn in a fast‑paced environment. Bottom line, we need hustlers, quick learners with the eagerness to change the world. Coaches must have a passion for mentoring high school students and positively impacting their lives. The URBAN TXT Fellowship provides a unique internship experience different than any available in a classroom. We offer fellows the opportunity to learn mobile app coding with Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, start‑up management, and product development, while mentoring deserving, inner‑city youth in our Summer Coding Leadership Academy (SCLA). As a fellow, you will earn valuable experience for your portfolio, and you will be more prepared for a career in technology. Roles and Responsibilities Identify, plan, and achieve youth development goals for a team of 4 youth Motivate TXT participants by building an innovative tech community Manage team project priorities, deadlines, and deliverables with your technical expertise Connect and build relationships with gurus from top tech startups Work in multiple teams and take on tasks as needed Respond effectively to the daily problems that arise, often with creative solutions Prepare team of youth to successfully pitch their final products in front of investors Coaches will receive training in the following topics Effectively manage numerous projects while simultaneously meeting aggressive deadlines in a dynamic environment Architect, design, develop and support a highly scalable mobile app application Lead a diverse team from incubation to full‑scale product development Network with key hiring managers at tech companies Understand fundamentals of launching a startup, including raising money Apply design thinking in order to develop products that will disrupt low income communities Building smart contracts using blockchain technology Minimum Qualifications Must be able to attend in‑person classes Monday - Friday from 9am - 4pm at USC. Undergraduate student at a 4‑year university majoring in computer science, business, design, social sciences, or similar fields No experience is required, but the ability to learn fast is a must Desired Qualifications Excellent organization skills and a self‑starter Interest in coding, innovation and development with technology Demonstrated ability to work well in a fast‑paced environment Excellent communication skills and high emotional intelligence Willingness to inspire Black and Latino boys to change the world of injustice Interest and/or knowledge in the fields of artificial intelligence, prompt engineering, retrieval‑augmented generation (RAG), or similar AI technologies. Timeframe Coaches must attend mandatory virtual training starting in May 2026. Exact date will be determined at a later time. Coaches will also participate in a weeklong retreat from June 15-19, 2026. Core programming will take place from June 15th, 2026 – August 8th, 2026. Application Deadline Deadline to apply is Friday, March 30, 2026. #J-18808-Ljbffr Valid8 Financial, Inc.