Who should apply
Idea-stage founders, coaches, former athletes, students, AI builders, and early teams without full funding yet.
Idea-stage cohort
Idea-Stage Sports + Community Innovation Cohort
An on-campus cohort for founders and early teams building around sports, AI, youth development, learning, wellness, outdoor activity, marketplace days, and community technology — tied to real Hope Forest programming.
Who this is for
Founders, coaches, students, and early teams with an idea
- Idea-stage founders
- Coaches with a product idea
- Former athletes building in sports or wellness
- Students and local builders
- AI builders exploring youth sports / community applications
- Early teams without full funding yet
What is happening
What to expect
What the cohort includes
A structured path with mentorship, community discovery, and a chance to prototype or pilot inside Fields of Hope programming.
What types of ideas fit
AI coaching, athlete evaluation, recruiting & visibility, league management, family communication, wellness & recovery, sports safety, homeschool / enrichment tech, outdoor learning, and community marketplace tools.
Implementation award
A $25,000 implementation award for a selected concept, subject to award partner participation.
Demo & showcase
Present to peers, mentors, award partners, investors, and community leaders at the cohort demo day.
How to apply
Share a few details below and our team will follow up about next steps.
Why it matters
Early ideas often die without a real environment to test them in. This cohort gives founders that environment, plus the mentorship to move forward responsibly.
What to do next
Take the next step
Get in touch
Tell us a bit more
Tell us about your company, project, or idea — we'll follow up with details on the cohort and next steps.
Share your interest
Tell us about your company, project, or idea — we'll follow up with details on the cohort and next steps.