The Gray Matter Experience:
Building the Next Generation of Entrepreneurial Leaders
The Gray Matter Experience is a catalyst for youth with bold visions but limited access. This Chicago-based nonprofit ignites possibility by connecting teens and young adults to entrepreneurial education, mentorship, and real-world experiences. Gray Matter doesn’t just teach entrepreneurship—it invests in it, equipping students with the mindset, skills, and startup capital to lead businesses, transform communities, and reimagine what’s possible.
Founded: 2016
Location: In-person programming is held in Chicago, while the online program is available across the United States.
The Gray Matter Experience began working with UpMetrics in 2021 as part of a Chicago Cohort sponsored by the Christopher Family Foundation.
Mission
To close the opportunity gap for youth with big visions but limited access, unlocking their potential using entrepreneurship as a vehicle for personal growth and community transformation.
Vision
Programs & Impact Approach
Every program Gray Matter runs is immersive and real-world, built to activate potential through doing, not just dreaming.
High School Programs:
Through a nationally recognized, tuition-free curriculum shaped by community leaders, Gray Matter's high school program helps students develop entrepreneurial mindsets, leadership, and problem-solving skills that prepare them for any path.
Students begin with IDEATE, where ideas are sparked in a hands-on bootcamp. They then move into ACTIVATE, turning those ideas into real-world prototypes and plans. In the final phase, ACCELERATE, students pitch or intern with purpose-building ventures that make an impact and a future they can own.
Hustle Hacks:
Hustle Hacks is a virtual experience designed for ambitious entrepreneurs ages 18–24 who are ready to take their side hustle to the next level. Whether building a business with a bold mission or turning passion into profit, this program equips them with the tools, support, and network to grow confidently.
Through online learning and community-building sessions, participants will sharpen their entrepreneurial mindset, get matched with a business coach from their industry, and gain insight to scale their hustle sustainably.
The end of this program culminates with a Young Entrepreneur Market, where participants showcase their brands and connect with customers.
Smarter Data, Bigger Impact:
Gray Matter’s Approach to Measuring Change
Before partnering with UpMetrics, Gray Matter tracked outcomes with Google Forms—useful for gathering responses, but limiting when it came to analysis and storytelling. Pulling trends across forms was slow and inconsistent, making it hard to communicate success or spot opportunities for growth.
Now, Gray Matter uses UpMetrics to:
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Capture and analyze demographic data on all applicants
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Track program experiences, learnings, and student connections
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Measure growth in entrepreneurial mindset and confidence
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Report program outcomes and highlight impact to funders
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Quickly pull data for grant applications and fundraising
The result? Gray Matter can now clearly show increases in recruitment, identify areas where programming needs to expand, and spark new conversations with funders and partners to reach even more youth.
Scaling Youth Impact with Data-Driven Insights
With clear, accurate and accessible impact data, Gray Matter now looks forward to:
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Strengthening and expanding programming by providing measurable evidence of outcomes and progress.
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Using data to identify what strategies are most effective so they can make informed adjustments where needed and ensure resources are allocated efficiently.
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Enhancing transparency and credibility with stakeholders, positioning them to build stronger partnerships and secure additional funding.
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Ultimately scale programs, broaden their reach, and deepen the long-term impact they create in the community.
As the organization continues to grow, impact data ensures that bold youth visions translate into bold community transformation.
Gray Matter's advice for organizations looking to improve impact measurement:
"Start with clarity and intentionality. Rather than trying to track everything at once, clearly define what success looks like for your mission and identify the key outcomes you want to measure. Establish consistent processes for data collection and use tools that make it easier to both analyze and visualize your results."
✨ The Gray Matter Experience is proof that when you give young people the tools to lead, they don’t just participate in the economy—they transform it.
