Speed Pitch Day
24 participants | 90 second pitches
From the 90 second pitch day competition, the top six ideas will be selected by participants, instructors, and guests using a standard scoring rubric. Thereafter, teams will be formed using a 'medical school' matching process.
RubricEach pitch should be scored on a 7-point scale based on your overall impression of the idea and the delivery. Consider:
Use the scale below as a guide — from early-stage or unclear (1–2), to promising but developing (3–4), to strong and memorable (5–7). 1 – Limited Potential: Unclear, unoriginal, or not compelling at all 2 – Emerging Potential: Some promise, needs clarity/development 3 – Developing: Interesting direction, not fully formed 4 – Solid: Decent idea and pitch, not especially memorable 5 – Strong: Well-thought-out idea with clear value; pitched clearly 6 – Very Strong: Strong idea, shows real promise, delivered effectively 7 – Exceptional: Outstanding idea and pitch; exciting, memorable, and impactful Access Scoring Sheet |
The Top 6 Ideas (announced 9/30)
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Team Formation
For individuals with the top 6 ideas: teammate selection form
For all other individuals: team selection form
For all other individuals: team selection form
Hard Working | Respectful | Communicative
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Aliza Sohail 18 from West Ridge ● Freshman @ University of Illinois at Chicago |
What is your motivating factor for being in the program?
My motivating factor for being in this program directly relates to the AI + Entrepreneurship program I just completed. As I just designed a potential app, and saw the various other amazing ideas it excited me to keep working on an app. As amazing of a time as the 6 weeks were, I would love to come back and put the hard work of any of the teams as an app in the app store.
On a personal level, this helps make time for my hobby of coding and mix it with my school life as I am majoring in Finance (Business Administration). This is also a new experience for me, as I have never designed an app before and learning along with other team members would be an amazing opportunity.
On a personal level, this helps make time for my hobby of coding and mix it with my school life as I am majoring in Finance (Business Administration). This is also a new experience for me, as I have never designed an app before and learning along with other team members would be an amazing opportunity.
Please describe your education and/or career goals.
I recently graduated from High School, and I am an incoming freshman at the University of Illinois Chicago during the fall semester. I plan to major in Finance and minor in Data Science. This educational path will allow me to combine my skills in financial analysis with technological advancements. After I graduate, I really hope to work as a data analyst. Even after I graduate, I would like to continue learning new types/ languages of code, as that is an area I haven't had the opportunity to delve in, but would love to.
Ambitious | Resilient | Patient
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Alyssia Tyler 17 from Woodlawn ● Senior @ Kenwood HS |
What is your motivating factor for being in the program?
My main motivation for joining is to build on the coding and app development skills I already have. Since it is my senior year of high school, I want to use this program to build on my teamwork skills in preparation for college, practice connecting with new people, and provide me with more experience that allows me to apply these skills in a real-world setting. Another reason is that I want to stay productive during my free time because I like to be active, and I dislike having too much free time. What helps me with this is having a set schedule. So, this opportunity helps me stay productive and busy while building on my current knowledge. Ultimately, I believe this program is the perfect fit for me because not only will it keep me focused, but it lets me explore further into computer science, which is currently a potential career for me.
Please describe your education and/or career goals.
After high school, I plan to attend a four-year university and go on to dental school to ultimately become an orthodontist. This has been my goal for as long as I can remember, and I truly believe it’s the right path for me. However, when I was introduced to computer science careers, I became very intrigued and wanted to learn more to make the best decision for my future happiness. I’ve concluded that if I improve my coding skills and see more potential in that field, I might consider switching career paths. While both careers appeal to me, I currently plan to stick with dentistry because I am very math and science oriented.
Funny | Emphatic | Motivated
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Amna Saddiqa 21 from West Ridge ● Senior @ North Park University |
What is your motivating factor for being in the program?
My first ever experience working on code was during the App Development program, and I enjoyed it more than I expected. I at first simply applied to the program out of curiosity and wanting to try something new, but learning about Swift and seeing my hard work come to life is a indescribable feeling. I would like to continue learning more coding, as I feel it is a skill that will greatly benefit me in the future and brings me great satisfaction. I truly believe technology is the future, and I would love to be in the program so I can learn more of what is surely to come. I would also love to be able to create apps that benefit people.
Please describe your education and/or career goals.
I am going to be a senior in college this fall, and I am majoring in biology and planning to minor in English. At first, I was purely interested in zoology, but the more I studied and learned, I realized how connected everything in the world is and decided ecology or environmental science would be a better fit for me. This past spring, I interned remotely at Seaside Sustainability, where I researched environmental issues, made infographics, and learned more about sustainability as a whole. Since then, I've come to realize that I am also incredibly interested in research and design, and I would love to pursue a career in which I would be able to combine my love of science with my passion for creativity. Learning about coding would make me able to bring my passion to life in new ways; I would be able to create apps that combine my passions.
Talkative | Bubbly | Kind
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Ashley Hui 20 from Bridgeport ● Junior @ University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |
What is your motivating factor for being in the program?
My main motivation for this program would be how to create an app that showcases the importance and the edge of data processes and machine learning has in the tech space. I would like my app to inspire others to dig deeper in the machine learning space and understand how it’s in everything we do and how great it is.
I want it to spark interest in passionate app developers to implement a little piece of it, an algorithm that may help a user using analytics, a feature that uses image classification, or having that data visualized in a beneficial way. In this program, I want to learn how to build an app with a heavy emphasis on these various data structures and machine learning, show it off and make it the forefront of the app.
I want it to spark interest in passionate app developers to implement a little piece of it, an algorithm that may help a user using analytics, a feature that uses image classification, or having that data visualized in a beneficial way. In this program, I want to learn how to build an app with a heavy emphasis on these various data structures and machine learning, show it off and make it the forefront of the app.
Please describe your education and/or career goals.
My career goal is to become a data analyst and/or data scientist. Gaining some machine learning experience is an integral part of my current studies and for my career endeavors. Currently, I’m studying how to use Python, R and Sequel (SQL) to visualize data and various statistics models for my final projects. I fell in love with programming data cleaning algorithms, creating data visualizations using Pandas, and uncovering the statistics behind it.
Machine Learning was a niche I had found out that would be beneficial for building technical skills within the field and saving time, energy and effort in complex data sets. Being a data scientist includes creating and using tools that can automate data-handling tasks such as predicting accurate trends and finding patterns that are crucial for data scientist/analyst to report back to their colleagues, companies and such. Handling large, complex datasets are a struggle and having the machine learning skills can expedite the process, by knowing how to create a model that has the specific functions to clean, process, analyze and predict is a game changer for those within the field.
Machine Learning was a niche I had found out that would be beneficial for building technical skills within the field and saving time, energy and effort in complex data sets. Being a data scientist includes creating and using tools that can automate data-handling tasks such as predicting accurate trends and finding patterns that are crucial for data scientist/analyst to report back to their colleagues, companies and such. Handling large, complex datasets are a struggle and having the machine learning skills can expedite the process, by knowing how to create a model that has the specific functions to clean, process, analyze and predict is a game changer for those within the field.
Creative | Funny | Perceptive
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Austin Johnson 17 from Norwood Park ● Senior @ Lane Tech HS |
What is your motivating factor for being in the program?
There are several motivating factors for me to continue with IOS app development. I enjoyed app development in the introductory program, but feel I can take it much further. I am interested in software development. My first programming experience was in game development and I enjoyed starting with something basic and watching it evolve into a fully functioning finished product. I also enjoyed working with other people. I learned a lot from the people in my group, and taking my app development further with new people will help me improve even more.
Please describe your education and/or career goals.
I have lots of computer science education and experience. Beyond the program this summer, I am in my high schools computer science concentration. I have taken CS courses every year totaling five classes, two of which were AP, and passed all the exams I've taken for them. I have a strong understanding of computer science principals and applications. When I enter college, I hope to major in computer science and focus on software development. This program aligns strongly with my goals and participating in it would be an amazing opportunity for me.
Ambitious | Curious | Strategic
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Bu Long 17 from Near North Side ● Senior @ Walter Payton HS |
What is your motivating factor for being in the program?
The iOS App development summer program gave me a taste of the fast moving rhythm of real app development, and it was incredible to see our team’s ideas be created into a tangible product. The time pressure forced me to learn skills quickly and apply them immediately. However, the tight deadlines also narrowed the number of options we considered. We often had to quickly pick one path to focus on even when we weren’t sure it was the best one.
In the App Accelerator, I want the time to develop apps that take in user feedback and choose the best implementation. I can test two versions of the same feature, and watch how people use them. I want to see the features people use regularly, and remove the ones that are ignored. With clear mentorship and user input, I believe this program can be a breeding ground for some of the most innovative and thought-out apps.
My motivating factor for this program is opportunity to develop an app that is given thoughtful consideration about how users interact with it. The program’s more steady pacing will allow my team and I to iterate more often with user feedback in order to build the best version of an app that will make a true impact on people’s lives.
In the App Accelerator, I want the time to develop apps that take in user feedback and choose the best implementation. I can test two versions of the same feature, and watch how people use them. I want to see the features people use regularly, and remove the ones that are ignored. With clear mentorship and user input, I believe this program can be a breeding ground for some of the most innovative and thought-out apps.
My motivating factor for this program is opportunity to develop an app that is given thoughtful consideration about how users interact with it. The program’s more steady pacing will allow my team and I to iterate more often with user feedback in order to build the best version of an app that will make a true impact on people’s lives.
Please describe your education and/or career goals.
I wish to live a life where I always have something new to learn or contribute to, where my potential can be actualized for the good of people. I build my education and career goals in this fashion, seeking careers with many prospects in the future, where the development of technology continues to create new opportunities to develop my skill set. I have found this in the startup and specifically app development space, where I need to constantly adapt my plans and skillsets to match market expectations. This is the place I find the most exciting, a place where novel applications of cutting edge research can be used to benefit people’s lives.
In my education, my goal is to attend a 4-year university with a major in subjects that complement my ideal career path, such as computer science and software engineering. My love for software development and entrepreneurship comes from the accelerating increase of new developments and seemingly endless opportunity for impact. The ever-changing world of technology requires continuous growth and persistent learning to keep up with modern implementations and the development of new software. To be complacent in such an environment means the inevitable depreciation of skills. This environment is where my personality traits of persistence and curiosity shine the brightest, a place that rewards the continuous search for information and skills.
In my education, my goal is to attend a 4-year university with a major in subjects that complement my ideal career path, such as computer science and software engineering. My love for software development and entrepreneurship comes from the accelerating increase of new developments and seemingly endless opportunity for impact. The ever-changing world of technology requires continuous growth and persistent learning to keep up with modern implementations and the development of new software. To be complacent in such an environment means the inevitable depreciation of skills. This environment is where my personality traits of persistence and curiosity shine the brightest, a place that rewards the continuous search for information and skills.
Diligent | Tenacious | Creative
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Clovis Nzoyisaba 20 from Rogers Park ● Junior @ University of Wisconsin Madison |
What is your motivating factor for being in the program?
My motivation for being in the program is to gain valuable experience outside of a classroom. I am a computer science major. However, I found it challenging to apply the algorithm and theory-based teachings to real world applications.
Therefore, a year ago, I started applying these concepts in game development. Since then, I have begun to understand more about how important it is to build flexible yet strong systems, how to manage time effectively, where to look for help, and especially how difficult it is to start and finish a personal project. Later, I also found connections between app and game development. The material I learned in lectures felt foreign to me, but after these experiences those same ideas were now ingrained in my mind. For this reason, I value practical opportunities to learn like the App Accelerator program.
Therefore, a year ago, I started applying these concepts in game development. Since then, I have begun to understand more about how important it is to build flexible yet strong systems, how to manage time effectively, where to look for help, and especially how difficult it is to start and finish a personal project. Later, I also found connections between app and game development. The material I learned in lectures felt foreign to me, but after these experiences those same ideas were now ingrained in my mind. For this reason, I value practical opportunities to learn like the App Accelerator program.
Please describe your education and/or career goals.
I am currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in computer science. However, I do not have my eyes set on a career yet. When it comes to education, I want to learn more about artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and how to write and maintain good software. I am optimistic about the future in tech, so I want to be part of it, and understand it at a deeper level. I have always wanted to build the systems that I have enjoyed, like video games, or something that powers everyday infrastructure, so my career path may be a blend of the two.
Visionary | Methodical | Tenacious
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Daksh Vermareddy 17 from Near North Side ● Senior @ Whitney Young HS |
What is your motivating factor for being in the program?
My motivation for applying to the Everyone Can Code App Accelerator program is a desire to take my concepts beyond the idea stage and into actualized products with impact. Most of my projects to date have been built solo or with just one other collaborator, which has taught me independence, discipline, and technical problem-solving. At the same time, I have also founded and led clubs of over 100 members, further strengthening my organizational and leadership skills. I recently got the opportunity to attend a Harvard business program (Harvard Undergraduate Ventures-TECH Summer Program) full-ride, where I got to learn about strategy, innovation, and entrepreneurship. I now want to get the opportunity to combine that business knowledge with my technical skills to develop something truly meaningful.
What most excites me in this program is the chance to link my independence and leadership experience with true teamwork - learning to collaborate with others to create an app, website, and launch plan that goes beyond what I could have accomplished alone. The accelerator offers the unique structure, mentorship, and team environment that will allow me to push myself harder, stretch my skill set, and be part of something incredible.
What most excites me in this program is the chance to link my independence and leadership experience with true teamwork - learning to collaborate with others to create an app, website, and launch plan that goes beyond what I could have accomplished alone. The accelerator offers the unique structure, mentorship, and team environment that will allow me to push myself harder, stretch my skill set, and be part of something incredible.
Please describe your education and/or career goals.
Currently, my goals for education are to further pursue studies in finance, technology, and data-based problem solving. I plan on creating a solid basis in economics, mathematics, and computer science through rigorous classes, research opportunities, and eventually graduate-level work in areas such as financial engineering, data science, or business management. To prepare for this, I have already been working on projects combining theory and practice, such as developing financial trading algorithms, developing educational and wellness apps, and acquiring certifications that improve technical and leadership skills. I am also a part of Market Insight Center LLC, where we use cutting-edge algorithms to provide intuitive tools for stock analysis, suggestions, and validation of user-created trading models while extending the frontiers of using AI in trading.
These experiences allow me to apply advanced concepts in real-world situations and enhance my technical skills and entrepreneurial strategy. My career goal is go into quantitative trading and FinTech, make use of advanced models and machine learning algorithms to navigate complex markets with an objective view. From there, I fully intend on launching my own business and eventually owning my own company, developing solutions that open doors wider, empower, and generate lasting change. I am committed to merging learning, creativity, and finance, taking steps to realize these ambitions.
These experiences allow me to apply advanced concepts in real-world situations and enhance my technical skills and entrepreneurial strategy. My career goal is go into quantitative trading and FinTech, make use of advanced models and machine learning algorithms to navigate complex markets with an objective view. From there, I fully intend on launching my own business and eventually owning my own company, developing solutions that open doors wider, empower, and generate lasting change. I am committed to merging learning, creativity, and finance, taking steps to realize these ambitions.
Friendly | Analytical | Collaborative
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Haoran (Max) Situ 21 from Brighton Park ● Junior @ University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |
What is your motivating factor for being in the program?
I've always liked building things that fix everyday problems. In my community, I see gaps where the right app or tool can actually make life easier, and I've wanted to be the person to create that. This program feels like a chance to not just improve my coding skills but to work with people who also care about solving real, local problems. This program feels like a chance to not just sharpen my coding and design skills but to work with people who share the same drive to solve real problems, leading to a growth mindset.
It's about learning, experimenting, and pushing myself to take small ideas further than I thought possible. For me, the most rewarding part is knowing that something I help build could make even a small, positive influence in someone's daily life.
It's about learning, experimenting, and pushing myself to take small ideas further than I thought possible. For me, the most rewarding part is knowing that something I help build could make even a small, positive influence in someone's daily life.
Please describe your education and/or career goals.
I'm currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Computer Science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where I'm building a solid base in programming, backend development, and software design. My goal is to keep growing into a well-rounded software engineer who can turn ideas into things people actually want to use. I approach every project with a growth mindset, seeing challenges as chances to learn and improve rather than setbacks.
I would like to work on practical projects that solve real problems, stay curious, and keep pushing myself to step outside my comfort zone. Long term, I hope to work with great teams and create solutions that make a real impact.
I would like to work on practical projects that solve real problems, stay curious, and keep pushing myself to step outside my comfort zone. Long term, I hope to work with great teams and create solutions that make a real impact.
Open Minded | Collaborative | Friendly
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Hriman Shrestha 17 from Edgewater ● Senior @ Senn HS |
What is your motivating factor for being in the program?
I’ve always enjoyed problem-solving in my math and science classes. My desire to keep learning and challenging myself has kept me motivated to continue finding opportunities in the tech field. My interest in coding started in middle school with a Computer Science class, where I learned the basics. Later, I created an app to promote mental health awareness for a project in my sophomore year of high school. I also joined Discovery Partner’s Institute’s Digital Scholars program to learn Java and to explore my future in Computer Science. Then, through Everyone Can Code Chicago (ECC), I was able to learn another programming language, Swift, and gain more skills to learn how to use technology for helping our society. Being able to present at the Apple store as one of the “top 4” apps in ECC has made me realize the career that I want to pursue. Through the App Accelerator program, I want to extend my knowledge about software development, and create even more impactful and innovative apps to make people’s lives better, easier and happier. I’m excited to collaborate with others, learn from experienced mentors, and tackle challenges as a team.
Please describe your education and/or career goals.
When my father bought me a personal laptop, I was excited because I had always been interested in computers from a young age. Using the new laptop, I explored several resources online to learn programming. In my free time, I designed web pages, practiced coding challenges, and built small projects. Participating in the Digital Scholars program further deepened my interest in the tech field. After being exposed to several pathways in Computer Science, I am now interested in pursuing a career in AI Engineering and Machine Learning. I want to obtain a degree in Computer Science to build a strong foundation for my future goals. With a strong background in math and science, I also am interested in getting a minor in Statistics or Math to support my main field of interest. Currently, I am enrolled in the IB Diploma Program, and even though my school doesn't offer a specific IB Computer Science course, I have taken a dual enrollment class through Wilbur Wright College, and I have been practicing coding regularly to prepare myself for college and beyond. With the exponential growth of AI over the last few years, I hope to use my skills and expertise after college to innovate and build life-changing technologies and give back to my community. Although my team and I were unable to incorporate AI tools in our app during the iOS App Dev program, I hope to learn more skills through the App Accelerator and create apps that effectively use technology at its fullest.
Logical | Verbose | Sociable
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Isaac Dunn 17 from Edgewater ● Senior @ Lane Tech HS |
What is your motivating factor for being in the program?
My motivating factor for being in the program is to gain professional experience in this field which is similar to what I may be studying in my higher education. I have a lot of interest in going into a tech or software field and this aligns really well with that. On top of that I think some real experience working on an actual product would be a huge benefit to me as I navigate my career choices. It will open up new opportunities for me and also give me what it takes to handle future jobs or internships without having to feel like as much of a beginner.
Please describe your education and/or career goals.
My goals are to apply to a college with a tech or software adjacent major. As a senior in high school right now, these goals are on the horizon as I prepare to apply for college. My biggest hopes are to end up in a major that involves a lot of teamwork and is applicable to the greater good. This means that I would like something where I can work for people and create a service that helps them, rather than just a product to sell or work for a big tech company. I would also really like to go to college abroad or study abroad so I can live in other places and learn more about the world, so as to gain experience which will inform my career and world view.
Optimistic | Friendly | Determined
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Jacob Nemirovsky 18 from Rogers Park ● Senior @ Senn HS |
What is your motivating factor for being in the program?
Im really motivated by the competitive aspect of the program. Being the top 4 group is a huge motivation to me and makes me determined and interested. Another motivating factor is the learning experience and the coding skills I gain. I have taken multiple dual enrollment classes for computer science and have gained some coding skills but nothing comparable to the IOS app development. Also, my future is another large motivation for me. I hope to get some awards or achievements through the my participation. For example, I won the opportunity to present my app at the apple store in front of hundreds of people.
Please describe your education and/or career goals.
I am also taking steps into a career and educational path that is academically challenging and will require critical thinking and creative solutions to problems. I am also debating completing a major in computer science because I really enjoy computers, as well as the ways that technology can be used to provide uniquely brilliant solutions to problems. I am also considering engineering, because I also enjoy math and science, and I enjoy the idea of using math and science to create and then build meaningful solutions to problems that would help people's lives.
Curious | Determined | Caring
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Jay Patel 21 from Near West Side ● Senior @ University of Illinois at Chicago |
What is your motivating factor for being in the program?
I have 2 motivating factors for being in the program. My main one is that I want to further my professional career. I want to continue growing, continue learning new things. Another thing that I enjoy is meeting new people and learning about their backgrounds because you can always learn a thing or two. My second motivating factor, one that has slim chances of actually happening, but I'd try my best for, is to help someone with my idea. Besides the app I made in the summer program, I've made one other app and none of which were published on the app store due to financial reasons. However, in this program, I'm getting the chance to actually bring my idea to life, to other people's devices, so if I can get this chance, then I can try to help someone out there who needs it. I don't care if it's just one person or a hundred, I just want to help someone because to me, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing someone's life get better by your innovation. So I really want the chance to participate in this program so I can learn and bring my ideas to life.
Please describe your education and/or career goals.
My career goals are quite simple. I want to work at my dream company, JPMorgan Chase, and help them achieve their goals while I continue learning new things. After that, I want to try going to the business side and starting small things. I want to eventually have multiple sources of income so I can support not only myself, but my family and friends as well. After that, I don't want more money because I don't need it so I'll just try to experience new things, new hobbies, and potentially try going pro in pickleball (a new hobby I recently picked up).
Disciplined | Determined | Adaptable
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Jia Jun (JJ) Shi 21 from Armour Square ● Senior @ University of Illinois at Chicago |
What is your motivating factor for being in the program?
My motivating factor for being in the program is the opportunity to create an app in a team setting with other passionate developers. I want the app to actually useful as in there's either daily or weekly users, not just a simple app idea that is used for a one time use. Specifically from the App Development program, my team and I were unable to make it to the top 10, but i still believe our app concept as great potential to get users to actually use our app on a consistent basis and really targeting the fitness industry, specifically new gym goers, and helping them on the long run so they won't make the same mistakes I once did.
Please describe your education and/or career goals.
Currently, I am a rising senior from the University of Illinois at Chicago studying computer science. Although I am studying computer science, my passion is not specifically coding or doing software engineering related roles. I specifically aspire to be a Cloud DevOps Engineer where I am more focused on back-end concepts related to the cloud where it's more focused on setting up cloud tools specific to company needs such as in AWS, running Lambda or EC2 instances and other details automation, security, and compliances. These kind of roles focuses less on heavy coding, mostly just scripting. I don't mind coding every now a then, but I know I'll easily be burnt out if all I do is coding, that's why I aspire to be a Cloud DevOps Engineer.
Ambitious | Detailed | Persistent
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Josephine Lee 20 from Bridgeport ● Junior @ University of Illinois at Chicago |
What is your motivating factor for being in the program?
My motivating factor for being in the App Accelerator program is improving my technical skills in SwiftUI and my leadership skills. As an aspiring web developer, I am interested in developing for mobile applications as well to expand my technical skillset as well as lean more into the capabilities that mobile devices can bring to application development. I want to get into app development because I wanted to focus on the usability and accessibility of good user experience and the creative aspects of a good user interface design; web development, and expanding into mobile app dev, encapsulates both of the creative and technical aspects that I want to explore in my career. While the iOS Mobile App Dev program over the summer has reinforced various skills I've gained throughout my college career with programming and wireframing with Figma, I have yet to fully unlock my potential when it comes to developing web and movile applications, especailly with Apple operating systems. Being involved in this program will aid me in getting experience with various other operating systems, which I can then apply to my current experience working in the IT department (where I must assist others who all use different operating systems, including Apple), and in my future careers. As for my soft skills, I want to get better at working in a team, especially as I develop an application alongside them. Communication is key when programming, and I want to be a valuable member of a team.
Please describe your education and/or career goals.
Academically, I am looking to complete my Bachelor of Science in CS and move onto earning my Masters degree in CS as well. Currently, I am taking a minor in biology, however, if circumstances allow, I would like to expand more than just a minor in the field. I am exploring the potentials of taking on a math minor, as mathematics is something that interests me a lot.
Professionally, I want to be able to grow my skillset and become a mentor for others. I want to be able to share my skillset and use it to inspire others. Mentoring others is important to me because I am able to share my passion and encourage younger generations to be involved and to grow with the world around them. I would also like to continue to learn more about the world around me and be involved in the scientific community, whether that is through technology or ecology. Specifically, I want to get into more hands-on research and experience with biology. I want to develop my skills in software development, full-stack web development, and game development with computer science, focusing on software engineering and creative technology.
Professionally, I want to be able to grow my skillset and become a mentor for others. I want to be able to share my skillset and use it to inspire others. Mentoring others is important to me because I am able to share my passion and encourage younger generations to be involved and to grow with the world around them. I would also like to continue to learn more about the world around me and be involved in the scientific community, whether that is through technology or ecology. Specifically, I want to get into more hands-on research and experience with biology. I want to develop my skills in software development, full-stack web development, and game development with computer science, focusing on software engineering and creative technology.
Silly | Caring | Ambitious
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Lena Tran 20 from Near West Side ● Junior @ University of Illinois at Chicago |
What is your motivating factor for being in the program?
My motivating factor for being in the program is to empower users and connect with others. I think everyone has the potential to be a better version of themselves, and I've seen how the right tools can unlock that. When I taught my grandma to use her iPhone, watching her go from nervous to confident because she had the right interface is the kind of empowerment I want to help create on a massive scale. When you're building tools that adapt to how people actually think and work, it creates this sense of belonging and possibility that I want to help spread everywhere. I have a lot of app ideas that I want to pursue that I believe can help others, and I would love to have like-minded individuals within this program to provide me with the quality support, guidance, and advice that I cannot get anywhere else.
Please describe your education and/or career goals.
I am currently an incoming junior at the University of Illinois at Chicago studying Computer Science! Being a female student interested in tech, it is safe to assume that the only classes I am interested in are the rigorous STEM and CS related courses. Although those classes have taught me how to think critically, I’ll admit that my ethics and sustainability classes are the classes that have taught me the most. My current academic goals include graduating a semester earlier than students my age! For my career goals, I am an aspiring full-stack developer. I have had previous software engineering (backend) internship experience at an options trading firm, and I utilized Everyone Can Code as my experience for frontend development! My current career goals include working/interning at my dream tech company or overall working with many kind and supportive teams from different companies/programs to learn from their experiences and network! I want to eventually research and create my own business in the tech industry to try to revolutionalize ethical and sustainable computing! One of the things I want to achieve later in life is to own a business that gives back to the community! My current idea is to combine a local coffee shop with an open co-working space that provides different services depending on your needs! I want my business to work with local non-profits to host different community events and foster a supportive energy for residents and visitors!
Hard Working | Open Minded | Caring
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Litzy Corona 24 from Englewood ● College Graduate |
What is your motivating factor for being in the program?
I am motivated to join the program because it offers hands-on experience, mentorship, and the chance to launch a real product. I feel this program will help me grow as a developer and gain visibility. The stipend is a helpful support, but my main goal is to build skills I can showcase when applying for jobs in tech. As someone transitioning into tech, this program will give me the tools, structure, and confidence to turn my potential into opportunities. I would like to prove that I belong in this industry and participating in this program makes me believe that I will get one step closer to that goal.
Please describe your education and/or career goals.
I recently earned my B.A. in Health Communication with a Science minor. I am now focused on building technical skills through coding and machine learning programs like ECC, DPI, Per Scholas, and more. I would like to gain certifications and hands-on experience to apply for entry-level tech roles and apprenticeships. I will aim to blend innovation with impact by creating apps that promote wellness and representation. I want to get a stable career and later on share my knowledge with young people who have the same goals as I once did.
Creative | Curious | Loyal
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Pratibaa Prabhakaran 18 from Lincoln Park ● Freshman @ University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |
What is your motivating factor for being in the program?
If there is one thing I would consider the most reliable, convenient, and used form of technology, it is the phone. Everyone has a phone and so everyone has apps. The market for apps is huge, and as a future start-up creator, it is a market I need to know how to handle.
My motivating factor for being in the Accelerator program is to help me learn skills to help my future start up. Creating and publishing apps is the first step to that.
Creating iOS apps will allow me to reach a larger audience for my start-up. I want to go into Fintech, creating programs that will help people make better financial decisions. Creating an app will help me reach people better, and will be convenient for most. All someone has to do is grab their phone from their back pocket if they have a doubt.
The Accelerator program will help me create an app and launch it, from start to finish. The IOS App + Machine Learning program helped me learn the basics of iOS app dev, the Accelerator Program will help me further the skills I learned there and finetune them. Giving me lessons that I could use when I create my own programs. I could experiment with different ideas while collaborating like-minded peers on a group project. I would be able to learn from tutors and peers alike.
Apps run our world today and tomorrow, and I want to take advantage of this fact to reach more people than just creating a website.
My motivating factor for being in the Accelerator program is to help me learn skills to help my future start up. Creating and publishing apps is the first step to that.
Creating iOS apps will allow me to reach a larger audience for my start-up. I want to go into Fintech, creating programs that will help people make better financial decisions. Creating an app will help me reach people better, and will be convenient for most. All someone has to do is grab their phone from their back pocket if they have a doubt.
The Accelerator program will help me create an app and launch it, from start to finish. The IOS App + Machine Learning program helped me learn the basics of iOS app dev, the Accelerator Program will help me further the skills I learned there and finetune them. Giving me lessons that I could use when I create my own programs. I could experiment with different ideas while collaborating like-minded peers on a group project. I would be able to learn from tutors and peers alike.
Apps run our world today and tomorrow, and I want to take advantage of this fact to reach more people than just creating a website.
Please describe your education and/or career goals.
I stumbled across an article saying that many working-class people are trapped in debt, leading to the national consumer credit card debt growing past $1.1 trillion and that most people aren’t taught proper investing and saving strategies. Seeing this disparity, I started playing with public financial data to see what was possible.
I quickly realized the opportunity: I could create an algorithm that simplifies investment financial models for the stock market and other asset classes. I created a Python code and used public stock market pricing data to build an investment model for the stock market. I could make a business venture to help people struggling with finances. All I had to do was master computer science and data. I know that even large investment banks have failed to simplify investment strategies. Still, I wasn’t deterred.
Computer Science will help me create financial models to solve financial literacy, so I became interested in it. With machine learning, I can find hidden patterns in financial data to make investing easier. Then, I can sell the software many tried but failed to make. I had a new goal, to make a software program that helps people make better financial decisions.
Entrepreneurs are people who take it upon themselves to solve a problem that isn’t theirs. I want to go into Fintech and help people make better financial decisions to avoid falling into debt traps. This is the small change to the world I will devote myself to.
I quickly realized the opportunity: I could create an algorithm that simplifies investment financial models for the stock market and other asset classes. I created a Python code and used public stock market pricing data to build an investment model for the stock market. I could make a business venture to help people struggling with finances. All I had to do was master computer science and data. I know that even large investment banks have failed to simplify investment strategies. Still, I wasn’t deterred.
Computer Science will help me create financial models to solve financial literacy, so I became interested in it. With machine learning, I can find hidden patterns in financial data to make investing easier. Then, I can sell the software many tried but failed to make. I had a new goal, to make a software program that helps people make better financial decisions.
Entrepreneurs are people who take it upon themselves to solve a problem that isn’t theirs. I want to go into Fintech and help people make better financial decisions to avoid falling into debt traps. This is the small change to the world I will devote myself to.
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Sara Johnson 20 from Albany Park ● Junior @ University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |
What is your motivating factor for being in the program?
This summer I got to see all the other amazing projects, in addition to my team's own project that were created to "Help Shape a Healthier Society". I was incredibly inspired watching these presentations on these app concepts, and I want to be a part of a team that can realize concepts like these.
My motivating factor for being in this program is to help my community. One of the main reasons I want to work with software is to improve people's lives, and one of the most accessible tools that people posses is their phones. Looking through previous apps created through the app accelerator program, what stuck out to me was the innovative ideas that were created by past members that have the potential to be valuable tools for the community and to improve people's lives.
My motivating factor for being in this program is to help my community. One of the main reasons I want to work with software is to improve people's lives, and one of the most accessible tools that people posses is their phones. Looking through previous apps created through the app accelerator program, what stuck out to me was the innovative ideas that were created by past members that have the potential to be valuable tools for the community and to improve people's lives.
Please describe your education and/or career goals.
I am currently a student at UIUC studying Computer Science. I will be entering my Junior year in the coming fall, and I am passionate about equality and social justice in technology.
My goal is to become a frontend developer/UX engineer to create technology that is accessible and inclusive to everyone. I am pursuing an Art-Design minor and have taken a UI/UX design course, in conjunction with the core CS classes of my major.
My goal is to pursue HCI/UX research so that I can continue designing and building accessible technology for essential services, such as in the healthcare industry.
My goal is to become a frontend developer/UX engineer to create technology that is accessible and inclusive to everyone. I am pursuing an Art-Design minor and have taken a UI/UX design course, in conjunction with the core CS classes of my major.
My goal is to pursue HCI/UX research so that I can continue designing and building accessible technology for essential services, such as in the healthcare industry.
Reliable | Open Minded | Determined
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Saulius (Saul) Matusaitis 19 from Lincoln Square ● Sophomore @ University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |
What is your motivating factor for being in the program?
During the summer App Development program, I was very invested in the app development aspect of it. I did most of the coding, which included a vision model and a text parsing model. I spent many hours outside of class time working on these models and am very proud of it, and if I had more time and resources, I would have developed it more and potentially put it on the App Store. Therefore, I want to get as invested into a project like I was during the summer, but develop it fully and get it on the App Store. As well as this, I want to embark on another project to continue building my skills and push myself to create something meaningful.
Please describe your education and/or career goals.
I believe graduating from UIUC with a dual degree in Computer Science + Astronomy and Physics will directly guide me to my intended career. After receiving my undergraduate degree, I would like to pursue my PhD in Astrophysics. As UIUC is one of the top research schools in the country, I believe it can give me the necessary experience to pursue my PhD. I am already applying to many different research opportunities and making relationships with professors to help further my career. Although if research does not work out for me, I have a degree in Computer Science to propel me into a more Data Science-focused career. One career that interests me is Astroinformatics, which combines data analysis, machine learning, and most importantly, astrophysics. No matter which path I choose, I am excited and eager to take it on.
Innovative | Direct | Insightful
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Serena Williams 23 from Roseland ● College Graduate |
What is your motivating factor for being in the program?
This program is appealing to me for multiple reasons. Developing an app to publish is exciting, and it’s a major achievement. Building the app and presentations for it is a valuable experience and an addition to my job portfolio. In my career, I want to have an impact on others, and I generally want to develop coding and tech skills. This program is a way to accomplish that. I’d be proud of myself for successfully working within a team of strangers and doing something I know I’m capable of (which is communicating ideas to an audience).
Please describe your education and/or career goals.
I’m pursuing project management roles across various industries. I earned a Bachelor's in Psychology, and in a year or two, I’ll continue my education to earn a degree in business, tech, or Social Work. I’m deciding what the most realistic next step is for me. I have many interests, so hopefully many options. I aspire to address mental and emotional health and be employed in a leadership position regardless of the career pathway I choose. I see myself thriving in multiple fields, so my ambition is to gain diverse experiences that help me grow both personally and professionally.
Determined | Ambitious | Compassionate
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Teresa Chirayil 20 from Near West Side ● Junior @ University of Illinois at Chicago |
What is your motivating factor for being in the program?
My motivating factor for being in this program is to continue working on my app and get it on the App Store. I believe PillPal can be really helpful and is something people would want to use. People who are on medication often have a hard time keeping track of the different pills they need to take. This app can give you reminders on when to take medicine and how much, that way users would not need to worry about keeping a label. Also, having a scanner identify loose pills increases safety. When you are traveling or reorganizing, pills can be misplaced, and you can lose the label, which can lead to misuse of the pills, causing health problems. The chat box also increases health literacy because users can ask questions related to medicine and be more informed about what they are consuming. If I were to be in the accelerator program, I would be able to improve my app. I would increase the database for the pill scanner to add more pills so it can be more accurate. I would also integrate with pharmacy APIs for prescription import, create a telehealth feature to connect with licensed pharmacists or doctors, and have an AI-enhanced side-effect checker. This will make PillPall more personalized and an integral part of a user’s health. I believe with more time to perfect the app, PillPal will become an essential feature in many people’s day-to-day life and improve their health.
Please describe your education and/or career goals.
Currently, I am studying computer science, and I hope to become a software engineer or developer so I can create impactful and efficient technology innovations. I’m very interested in fields like cybersecurity, machine learning, and app development, and I hope to work on projects that improve people’s daily lives or address major global challenges. In order to achieve these goals in the future, I want to gain hands-on experience through internships, research projects, and collaborative coding opportunities that allow me to apply what I learn in real-world scenarios. If I were to be in the accelerator program, it would help me get more experience in what I want to do in the future.
Reliable | Creative | Collaborative
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Xinxi (Molly) Zhong 17 from Armour Square ● Freshman @ Columbia University |
What is your motivating factor for being in the program?
This summer, I had the chance to brainstorm and develop my first iOS app, one that helps people build healthier habits. Throughout the process, I gained so many valuable skills, like wireframing and coding in Swift, while also exploring more advanced concepts like implementing machine learning models into the app and using Firebase storage. I really enjoyed connecting different pieces of the program to turn my creativity into a working product. Although our app didn’t make it into the showcase, this experience made me more determined to pursue my goal of developing apps that make a positive impact. My motivating factor for being in the program is to grow my skills in app development, learn how to effectively market my app, and have the chance to publish it on the App Store, as this would be a significant step in my journey as a software developer.
Please describe your education and/or career goals.
As I pursue a B.S. in Computer Science at Columbia University starting this fall, I will continue to build my portfolio consisting of personal and team projects that focus on user experience. Through taking computer science courses relevant to my interest in software development, I can gain the technical skills needed to strengthen that project portfolio. I’ll be actively seeking for clubs and activities, such as hackathons, speaker events, and workshops, to collaborate with like-minded peers and gain professional experience. In addition, I’ll be actively seeking for internship opportunities and hope to participate in Everyone Can Code’s App Accelerator program to turn my app ideas into a more mature product that is ready to be launched.
After college, my goal is to become either a software or game developer who brings engaging experiences to users, building a stronger foundation in coding and software engineering skills along the way. Although I’m still exploring whether I want to focus on gameplay mechanics or software that solves real-world problems, I enjoy combining my creativity with coding to turn abstract ideas to actual solutions. I hope to bring this mindset to every project I work on, developing impactful industry projects that bring ease to users’ everyday life.
After college, my goal is to become either a software or game developer who brings engaging experiences to users, building a stronger foundation in coding and software engineering skills along the way. Although I’m still exploring whether I want to focus on gameplay mechanics or software that solves real-world problems, I enjoy combining my creativity with coding to turn abstract ideas to actual solutions. I hope to bring this mindset to every project I work on, developing impactful industry projects that bring ease to users’ everyday life.
Passionate | Logical | Dedicated
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Zona Noman 20 from Edgewater ● Junior @ University of Illinois at Chicago |
What is your motivating factor for being in the program?
My motivation for joining the App Accelerator comes from my desire to bring real impact to families of nonverbal autistic individuals. During a summer iOS and Machine Learning program, I along with my team created Stimtelligent, an app that helps caregivers better understand different stims and tics. While building it, I saw how meaningful this tool could be, especially for my friends and community who support autistic individuals. However, since the app was never published, my primary goal in this program is to take it to the App Store where it can truly reach those who need it.
I also want to enhance the app’s functionality. Currently, it uses a static image classification model, which requires taking a photo to detect a stim. I envision improving it to perform real-time detection by training a video-based deep learning model, such as a convolutional neural network combined with temporal layers (e.g., LSTM or 3D CNN), or by using Apple’s Core ML with models like MobileNet or YOLO for on-device, real-time inference. This would allow the app to continuously analyze live camera input and provide immediate feedback to caregivers.
As a Data Science major, I am deeply motivated to strengthen my skills in machine learning and app development so I can bridge innovation with accessibility. This program offers the mentorship and technical support I need to turn Stimtelligent into a published, impactful tool.
I also want to enhance the app’s functionality. Currently, it uses a static image classification model, which requires taking a photo to detect a stim. I envision improving it to perform real-time detection by training a video-based deep learning model, such as a convolutional neural network combined with temporal layers (e.g., LSTM or 3D CNN), or by using Apple’s Core ML with models like MobileNet or YOLO for on-device, real-time inference. This would allow the app to continuously analyze live camera input and provide immediate feedback to caregivers.
As a Data Science major, I am deeply motivated to strengthen my skills in machine learning and app development so I can bridge innovation with accessibility. This program offers the mentorship and technical support I need to turn Stimtelligent into a published, impactful tool.
Please describe your education and/or career goals.
An undergrad student at the University of Illinois at Chicago majoring in Data Science would probably say their career goal is to work as a data scientist at Google—but that’s not true in my case. My education and career goals are shaped by both where I come from and where I want to make an impact. I’m from Pakistan—I finished 11th grade there, then moved to Chicago and completed my last year of high school before starting college. I’m now a rising junior at UIC, majoring in Data Science.
Growing up, I was obsessed with Google Slides. I’d make slides for anything just because it was the coolest thing I learned on a computer. In middle school, I found a site where I could build simple games and made my sister play them. In 8th grade, I used VideoScribe to make fake shampoo ads—just for fun. I never imagined myself working behind a computer. It felt more like something to play on. My dad is blind and works as a mental health counselor and speaker. I’ve always looked up to him and want to work hard to give back.
The summer before senior year, I joined the Digital Scholars Data Science program at DPI. It was my first time coding and I felt like the coolest person ever—that’s when I decided to become a data scientist. I plan to pursue a master’s too. I want to inspire other women—especially those unsure about their future—to step into tech. I’m not doing this just to say I work at a FAANG company. I want to make tech more inclusive and use my story to open the door for others.
Growing up, I was obsessed with Google Slides. I’d make slides for anything just because it was the coolest thing I learned on a computer. In middle school, I found a site where I could build simple games and made my sister play them. In 8th grade, I used VideoScribe to make fake shampoo ads—just for fun. I never imagined myself working behind a computer. It felt more like something to play on. My dad is blind and works as a mental health counselor and speaker. I’ve always looked up to him and want to work hard to give back.
The summer before senior year, I joined the Digital Scholars Data Science program at DPI. It was my first time coding and I felt like the coolest person ever—that’s when I decided to become a data scientist. I plan to pursue a master’s too. I want to inspire other women—especially those unsure about their future—to step into tech. I’m not doing this just to say I work at a FAANG company. I want to make tech more inclusive and use my story to open the door for others.
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