2026 App Accelerator: Startup Edition
June 22, 2026 to July 31, 2026
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4 Apps to the App Store. 6 Weeks. 120 Hours.
A 12-week product development journey, compressed into 6 weeks — challenging teams to take an idea from concept to market, centered on a shared theme... |
introduced by Sarah Herrlinger, Senior Director Community Education Initiative and Global Accessibility at Apple
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Each team published two versions of their app, produced a product website, and developed a pitch deck.
#ChallengeForChange
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MEET THE 'CONTINUUM' PRODUCT TEAM
(click profile pictures to learn about the participants)
Kahnishga SolaidurairajSoftware Engineer
Age 19・College Junior |
Arjun PrabhakaranSoftware Engineer
Age 17・High School Junior |
Nyleah JonesSoftware Engineer
Age 18・High School Senior |
THE DEVELOPMENT JOURNEY
(click to view presentations)
MEET THE 'NESTED' PRODUCT TEAM
(click profile pictures to learn about the participants)
Angela ChanSoftware Engineer
Age 18・College Freshman |
Joshua SeldurSoftware Engineer
Age 19・College Sophomore |
Jason GuanSoftware Engineer
Age 18・High School Senior |
THE DEVELOPMENT JOURNEY
(click to view presentations)
MEET THE 'HEAR THE MARKET' PRODUCT TEAM
(click profile pictures to learn about the participants)
Yinglin LiSoftware Engineer
Age 19・College Sophomore |
Furqan AliSoftware Engineer
Age 19・College Sophomore |
Abhinav BalaganeshSoftware Engineer
Age 17・High School Junior |
THE DEVELOPMENT JOURNEY
(click to view presentations)
MEET THE 'REST EASY' PRODUCT TEAM
(click profile pictures to learn about the participants)
Harini SolaidurairajSoftware Engineer
Age 21・College Junior |
Bruno Pena-LepeSoftware Engineer
Age 19・College Freshman |
Mandy ChengSoftware Engineer
Age 19・College Freshman |
THE DEVELOPMENT JOURNEY
(click to view presentations)
Speed Pitch Day
12 participants | 90 second pitches
From the 90 second pitch day competition, the top four 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 4 Ideas (announced 6/25)
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Team Formation
For individuals with the top 4 ideas: teammate selection form
For all other individuals: team selection form
For all other individuals: team selection form
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Persistent | Creative | Inventive
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Abhinav Balaganesh 17 from Near North Side ● Junior @ Walter Payton College Preparatory HS |
What are you most curious about when it comes to technology or apps?
I am specifically interested in machine learning and how it works. I am also interested in hardware like how a computer works and runs. What excites me the most is fixing broken pieces of technology.
What specifically caught your interest about this program?
I am interested in this program because I have always wanted to create an app. I have created applications and website based designs for people to use, however creating an app being launched on the app store is something that interests me.
Tell a 6-word story about your secret superpower.
I write, control my own future.
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Ambitious | Empathetic | Curious
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Angela Chan 18 from McKinley Park ● Freshman @ University Wisconsin - Madison |
What are you most curious about when it comes to technology or apps?
Not only would this opportunity provide me with hands-on experience and a better understanding of what building with technology looks like, it would also allow me to practice a key value I have: servant leadership. I am passionate about creating things that are thoughtful and useful for others, and I see technology as a powerful way to turn ideas into something people can actually use.
What specifically caught your interest about this program?
Specifically, I am interested in the iOS App Development track as I am eager to collaborate with others to use code, user design principles, and app design principles to create an ideal user experience. While I have learned other coding languages, I have not yet learned Swift and it is something that interests me.
Tell a 6-word story about your secret superpower.
xxx
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Innovative | Entrepreneurial | Fun
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Arjun Prabhakaran 17 from Lincoln Park ● Junior @ Lane Tech HS |
What are you most curious about when it comes to technology or apps?
I am most curious about the potential of AI when fused with robotics. As a programming lead of FRC Robotics Team 4645, I'm interested in the development of AI controlled robotics alongside the software and apps that allow for people to control and use them easily, making work much easier.
What specifically caught your interest about this program?
As someone with experience in AI/ML, I've always wanted to learn how to build an app where I can put these skills to use. To learn Swift and app design would enable me to move from building personal programs to deployable apps that can truly affect others.
Tell a 6-word story about your secret superpower.
I obsess, learn, and move forward.
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Spontaneous | Creative | Extroverted
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Bruno Pena-Lepe 19 from North Center ● Freshman @ University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |
What are you most curious about when it comes to technology or apps?
What excites me most about apps is how a few lines of code, running on a device someone already carries, make their life safer, healthier, or easier. I'm curious about how software can connect to the physical world to solve everyday problems.
What specifically caught your interest about this program?
I saw that past participants built things with real community impact, which is exactly the kind of work I want to do. The part that stands out to me the most is the hands-on learning.
Tell a 6-word story about your secret superpower.
I build the future in reverse.
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Innovative | Fluxional | Synthetic
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Furqan Ali 19 from West Ridge ● Sophomore @ University of Illinois at Chicago |
What are you most curious about when it comes to technology or apps?
I'm obsessed with how AI can be embedded into apps responsibly. I learned previously by building a mental health app that the hardest design decisions aren't technical, they're ethical. I want to keep exploring that edge.
What specifically caught your interest about this program?
The App Accelerator's focus on launching a real product in a team-based environment mirrors how I've worked best, like at Capital One and Stanford, I thrived under pressure with high stakes. I want to build something that ships, not just something that's graded.
Tell a 6-word story about your secret superpower.
The App Accelerator's focus on launching a real product in a team-based environment mirrors how I've worked best, like at Capital One and Stanford, I thrived under pressure with high stakes. I want to build something that ships, not just something that's graded.
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Creative | Optimistic | Dedicated
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Harini Solaidurairaj 21 from Near West Side ● Junior @ University of Illinois at Chicago |
What are you most curious about when it comes to technology or apps?
Technology is around us everyday, so I am always looking for ways to make technology add more to my life. I try to find ways to make improvements in my actions/process, whether that is in university work or my personal life, and I can do this through technology.
What specifically caught your interest about this program?
I am interested in this program because it allows students to combine creativity and technology to build meaningful projects while developing valuable coding skills. Students rarely collaborate on real-world projects, and Everyone Can Code Chicago provides a unique chance to work with a team to create innovative solutions together.
Tell a 6-word story about your secret superpower.
I am Energy, Enthusiasm and Creativity.
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Authentic | Encouraging | Innovative
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Jason Guan 18 from Armour Square ● Senior @ Jones College Preparatory HS |
What are you most curious about when it comes to technology or apps?
After learning about time complexity in my data structures class, I’m most curious about how artificial intelligence is able to operate numerous times quicker than any traditional algorithm. How does something as futuristic as AI continue to improve day by day?
What specifically caught your interest about this program?
The concept of combining artificial intelligence with entrepreneurship to create team-based projects caught my attention. While AI and computer science are subjects that I’m familiar with, entrepreneurship and business are areas that I have little exposure to.
Tell a 6-word story about your secret superpower.
Break down and dance WHEREVER WHENEVER.
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Iconoclast | Indefatigable | Chill
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Joshua Seldur 19 from Austin ● Sophomore @ West Texas A&M University |
What are you most curious about when it comes to technology or apps?
I’m most curious about how technology and apps can change the music industry and help artists connect with people in more creative ways. I also want to learn how apps are built from the ground up and how innovation can turn simple ideas into something that impacts millions.
What specifically caught your interest about this program?
As a musician, I’m interested in this program because technology and creativity are becoming more connected, and I want to learn how coding can help me build new ideas and grow independently. I also want to take this opportunity to help change the industry through innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship.
Tell a 6-word story about your secret superpower.
Don't Complain, Don't Explain, Just Believe.
Ambitious | Innovative | Empathetic
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Kahnishga Solaidurairaj 19 from Near West Side ● Junior @ University of Illinois at Chicago |
What are you most curious about when it comes to technology or apps?
I’m curious how apps combine design, data, and logic to create meaningful user experiences. I want to better understand how ideas become scalable, real-world tools.
What specifically caught your interest about this program?
What caught my interest was building an iOS app while collaborating with others and presenting it publicly, alongside the focus of User Experience when turning ideas into working products.
Tell a 6-word story about your secret superpower.
Curious mind, relentless when solving problems.
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Ambitious | Adaptable | Curious
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Mandy Cheng 19 from Bridgeport ● Sophomore @ University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |
What are you most curious about when it comes to technology or apps?
My motivation for joining the Everyone Can Code program comes from my interest in using technology and design to solve real community problems. Through my experiences with Midwest Asian Health Association and Project: VISION, I have seen how creative tools, education, and communication can make important topics more accessible to youth and underserved communities.
What specifically caught your interest about this program?
I hope to grow my technical, creative, and teamwork skills while working on a project that feels meaningful to me. I want to better understand how to take an idea and turn it into something real by researching a problem, designing a solution, testing it, and explaining it clearly. Most importantly, I hope to gain hands-on experience creating something that can have a real impact beyond the classroom setting that I have been used to, as I believe these skills that I learned will go long in the journey with me as I am learning to create something impactful for my community.
Tell a 6-word story about your secret superpower.
I run on perseverance and resilience!
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Ambitious | Charismatic | Empathetic
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Nyleah Jones 18 from Avondale ● Senior @ Lane Tech HS |
What are you most curious about when it comes to technology or apps?
A silly thing I've always been curious about is how an app knows the angle or position of your phone in real time, and why developers switch to JavaScript for front end development. Isn't that just messy?
What specifically caught your interest about this program?
I've built projects that were a one moment thing, but with this program I'll be able to create something on iOS that's bigger than that.
Tell a 6-word story about your secret superpower.
I can make everything from anything.
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Curious | Determined | Passionate
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Yinglin Li 19 from Bridgeport ● Sophomore @ University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |
What are you most curious about when it comes to technology or apps?
I'm most curious about the process that it takes to create apps along with how coding is used to solve real-world problems.
What specifically caught your interest about this program?
The thing that caught my interest the most is that is no experience is needed, yet still able to use what we learn to create something useful.
Tell a 6-word story about your secret superpower.
Converts stress right into finished assignments.
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