Passion, Education, Innovation and Inspiration – this is how we would describe the 2024 Ambition Accelerator Summit! Taco Bell Foundation in partnership with Ashoka, the world’s largest network of social entrepreneurs, invited 50 changemakers to Irvine, CA, to provide them with education and resources to make change in the world.
The 4-day event was designed to accelerate the young innovators’ social impact projects through workshops, networking and opportunities for additional funding for their initiatives. The 50 Semi-Finalists were selected from over 370 applicants and received $1000 as part of their invitations to the event.
Among the Semi-Finalists, 5 Finalist were selected by Taco Bell Foundation and Ashoka to share their social impact ideas on stage in front of a panel of judges and their peers for a chance to secure an additional $25,000 in seed funding. The other 4 finalists received $5,000 to support their projects.
We wanted to take a moment to share a little more about the top changemakers. Read their company bios below:
Securing Degrees – Ambition Accelerator Winner
Pitched By Victoria L.
Securing Degrees is a national scholarship coaching platform that helps students aged 17 to 22, especially those from underrepresented communities, alleviate the financial burden of higher education. Since 2018, it has assisted over 4,000 families in securing $20 million in scholarships, ensuring debt-free education. Students on the platform are provided access to experienced coaches who help identify scholarships, craft compelling narratives, and meet application deadlines.
Farms for Thought
Pitched By Ekua H.
Farms for Thought combats food deserts by deploying autonomous vertical farms in schools. Through partnerships and innovative technology, the program aims to improve access to healthy food, promote education, and empower communities.
Elevate Navajo
Pitched by Jacob J.
Navajo youth face challenges such as substance abuse, poverty, domestic violence, hopelessness, and lack of guidance. To address these issues, multi-generational Navajo leaders have created Elevate Navajo, a program that provides mentorship to help youth navigate these challenges. The program aims to build long-term, life-changing relationships, equipping Navajo youth to thrive and contribute to their community.
Every Kid Gets a Robot (EKGAR)
Pitched by Danielle B.
Founded in 2019, The STEAM Connection is a 501(c)(3) charity led by youth and minorities, dedicated to democratizing technical education for Indigenous youth through robotics by providing free access to cutting-edge solutions. The STEAM Connection has created Every Kid Gets A Robot (EKGAR), an educational robotics kit that costs less than $20 to produce. It’s provided free of charge to K-12 students, boosting their technical skills by 70%. So far, EKGAR has reached 45,000 youth.
SignAll
Pitched by Aadi S.
Less than 0.1% of the hearing population understands sign language. SignAll is an AI-based sign language translation app that provides real-time translations by leveraging a mobile device’s camera at the person signing, helping to break down barriers in communication.
Hear more from each of these changemakers in this recap video, created by Live Más Scholar Alvaro S.
The Ambition Accelerator is powered in partnership with changemaking organization, Ashoka, the world’s largest network of social entrepreneurs, and funded by Yum! Brand’s Unlocking Opportunity Initiative. See Terms & Conditions for complete program details.
The Taco Bell Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity. For more information visit www.tacobellfoundation.org