StartSmart & Grasshopperfund

69% of youth have ideas, but only 5% actually manage to develop businesses, a statistic that has stayed stagnant for over 25 years due to a lack of Entrepreneurship education, mentorship, and funding for youth between the ages of 13-28. At StartSmart & Grasshopperfund, we are changing that statistic. Grasshopperfund is a startup marketplace and rewards-based crowdfunding platform where we help youth-led startups build community before raising capital, offering opportunities to build, support, and join startups. Through online youth-focused Entrepreneurship education, a network of mentors and peers, and the first youth rewards-based crowdfunding platform investing in youth-led startups, we equip young founders with the skills to start, develop, and grow real, sustainable businesses.