What happens at Cohort 1?
The first Mad Labs cohort is a 15-day sprint
where kids (ages 10–15) build something real.
a business, a film, a service, an event, a community, or a movement.
It must add value, have a purpose, and be their own.
They choose what to build.
We give them the pressure, tools, and guidance to do it.
Who is this for?
- The kid who won't stop asking "Why?" — even when no one has answers
- The kid who takes things apart just to see how they work
- The kid who zones out in class but lights up when building or creating
- The kid with a spark — who cares deeply about something, but doesn't know where to begin
They don't need to know how to code or speak on stage.
They just need to want to make something real.
What do they build?
There's no fixed output. Each kid builds a different thing. Some real examples:
- A micro-business that sells sustainable notebooks
- A storytelling podcast for kids
- A social movement to reduce food waste in school
- A workshop on managing exam pressure
- A small service that helps parents organise their digital files
They build whatever feels real to them. And we help them shape it.
What's the day-by-day structure?
| Day | Phase | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | IDEATE | Induction & Self-awareness |
| 2 | IDEATE | Idea discovery - Find your deep calling & interests |
| 3 | IDEATE | Make first call - Choose initial idea direction with mentor guidance |
| 4 | EARLY BUILD | Sharpen direction - Define audience and purpose, work with Ideation AI Agent. |
| 5 | EARLY BUILD | Begin outputs - Create initial drafts with Execution and Iteration AI agents |
| 6 | EARLY BUILD | Midpoint check - One-on-one mentor review of progress |
| 7-9 | BUILD + ITERATE | Build and test - Get feedback from peers, mentors, and AI agents |
| 10 | BUILD + ITERATE | Iterate and reframe - Address weaknesses and improve |
| 11 | BUILD + ITERATE | Second checkpoint - Deep review with mentor |
| 12 | BUILD + ITERATE | Proof day - Test with real users and gather feedback |
| 13 | STORYTELL | Shape pitch - Develop and practice presentation |
| 14 | STORYTELL | Last ship - Final refinements and feedback |
| 15 | DEMO DAY | Present project to mentors, friends, and strangers |
What tools do they use?
We've built 3 custom AI tools just for Mad Labs. They help kids move faster and think sharper.
- Ideation Tool → Helps them pick a strong idea and remove confusion
- Build Tool → Helps them write, design, and create faster
- Feedback Tool → Gives responses like a user, investor, or critic
What do mentors do?
- They don't give lectures.
- They ask sharp questions that help kids think.
- They unblock in moments where kids are stuck, suggest directions, and push quality.
- But the kid builds everything.
What does my kid walk away with?
- A real thing they made by themselves
- Clearer voice, sharper thinking, stronger execution
- Confidence in who they are
- Proof that they can create something from scratch
- Feedback from real people, not just praise
What if they don't finish?
That's okay.
The goal isn't perfection.
It's momentum.
Even 60% of a real thing is better than a polished worksheet.