Empowering Entrepreneurs through an Innovative Learning Platform

"C Labs" empowers youth and adults from low-income communities to launch their own companies by offering access to educational programs, innovative learning technology, and opportunities for investment and employment. Our learning technology platform "Journey" allows users to interact with multimedia content and earn points for completing activities. These points can then be exchanged for rewards like subscriptions, mentorship opportunities, and internships. This platform significantly lowers barriers to learning and enhances our ability to support entrepreneurial initiatives efficiently.

I draw immense inspiration from the individuals who use our platform—community members who are tackling significant societal challenges and devising innovative solutions. Creating a space for them to assert their agency and creativity in solving everyday problems within their own communities is profoundly motivating. Our program has facilitated the growth of ventures focused on a range of topics, including food delivery, affordable clothing, and education. At “C Labs,” our commitment to community empowerment runs deep; our learning technology platform was forged through participatory design research involving high school students from low-income communities. The values we uphold as a team have been pivotal in shaping “C Labs”’ impact and fostering an environment that promotes innovation for underestimated communities.

A key challenge we encountered in our journey was identifying and engaging stakeholders and forming collaborations with them. Our mission is focused on supporting youth and adults from low-income communities through our educational programming, so it was crucial for us to engage these stakeholders. Through continuous networking and pitching efforts, we secured the opportunity to pilot a social entrepreneurship program at a school in the South Bronx, where I personally saw and tracked the impact that our program had on local students. The pilot of our gamified learning platform was a success, but then our fledgling nonprofit needed to secure funding and strategic partners that would help us expand our work and fulfill our vision of scalable impact.

To address that challenge, I took a multifaceted approach. I first engaged with corporate representatives to secure donations and explore employment opportunities for our target audience. Additionally, I reached out to elected officials in New York City who could potentially support our educational initiatives within their districts. Networking with schools and other youth-focused nonprofits was also crucial in acquiring new clients and revenue sources. While navigating the complexities of cross-sector collaborations was often daunting, gaining deeper insights into these systems and stakeholders enabled us to forge successful partnerships with schools and nonprofits, sometimes supported by corporate sponsors or philanthropic grants. Our primary funding source stemmed from clients who recognized the positive impact of our programs on the youth they served. Looking ahead, expanding our organization and impact will require further engagement with government partners and corporate sponsors, a goal I am actively pursuing every day.

1. Don't let others confine you to a single mold. It's your choice how you want to make an impact in your community. While business schools often favor venture capital backing, there's no one-size-fits-all—choose what aligns best with your goals and values.
2. Learn from the Lean Startup method and adopt a mindset of "failing fast.” Don’t  invest significant resources—time or money—until you have validated your idea through testing and feedback.
3. Start scrappy and have a clear vision of your goals. Many get caught up in "vanity metrics" that don't contribute to business growth. Allocate your resources wisely by prioritizing activities like engaging with customers and devising strategies to generate revenue.